nicanical
I enjoyed this book. Structurally, it is very similar to the previous two novels (Look to Windward and Matter), but avoids some deficits I found with those two. Surface Detail is better-paced throughout, the conclusion didn't feel rushed, and the locations and races and characters all served a purpose, compared to, say, Matter. (The Quietus agent had a weak story thread here though).
One thing: the virtual hells and the War in Heaven never gave me the sense of contention that I think they're meant to have in-universe. We get the Pavulean perspective, which is changing towards anti-hell. We know that generally, advanced civilizations (like the Culture) are anti-hell because virtual hells are barbaric. But, there are some advanced civilizations that still use virtual hells (like the Nauptre, who are advanced enough to be on the cusp of subliming), but we never really learn why. And this is what's lacking I think—a detailed pro-hell perspective to flesh out both sides of the War. Fortunately, this didn't really affect enjoyment of the book because the War ultimately remains a background concern for the civilizations to jockey over, and is not central to Lededje's story.
I enjoyed this book. Structurally, it is very similar to the previous two novels (Look to Windward and Matter), but avoids some deficits I found with those two. Surface Detail is better-paced throughout, the conclusion didn't feel rushed, and the locations and races and characters all served a purpose, compared to, say, Matter. (The Quietus agent had a weak story thread here though).
One thing: the virtual hells and the War in Heaven never gave me the sense of contention that I think they're meant to have in-universe. We get the Pavulean perspective, which is changing towards anti-hell. We know that generally, advanced civilizations (like the Culture) are anti-hell because virtual hells are barbaric. But, there are some advanced civilizations that still use virtual hells (like the Nauptre, who are advanced enough to be on the cusp of subliming), but we never really learn why. And this is what's lacking I think—a detailed pro-hell perspective to flesh out both sides of the War. Fortunately, this didn't really affect enjoyment of the book because the War ultimately remains a background concern for the civilizations to jockey over, and is not central to Lededje's story.