logicelf

I don't rate 5 stars. I just don't. I just think there should always be room to manoeuvre. But this is the second of Adrian Tchaikovsky's books I have read, and the second I have rated 5 stars. The first was Children of Time, which changed my entire outlook on what modern science fiction could be. This is a very different book, but no less astonishing for its cleverness, humanity, and sheer joy of reading.

There are a handful of authors I trust so, so much to write brilliant fiction - each and every time - that when I receive a notification of a new release, I find I have hit ‘buy' before the page has even finished loading (never mind actually reading the précis). Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of those rare authors.

If you haven't read any of his stuff, read Children of Time (to get an idea of the scope of his imagination and, frankly, breathtaking other-world building ability), then Dogs of War (to immerse yourself in a gloriously anthropomorphic book which will break - and then re-mend - your heart). Then just go nuts. He literally hasn't written anything even approaching a bad book.

If you like fiction / science fiction: Don't even read the reviews or synopses. Just trust me. Thank me later.

Absolutely superb. I've been accused of being blunt, even cruel, because of my wish never to lie to people. I never completely understood why I felt so strongly about being truthful (other than the fact I rarely was truthful as a young man - and had subsequently left that erroneous path). I now understand a lot better.

Everyone should read this.