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, the conclusion isn't rushed, and the locations and races and characters all serve a purpose, compared to, say, Matter. (The Quietus agent's arc was still weak though, in my opinion).
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, we never really learn what the pro-hell, advanced civilizations' perspectives are on the virtual hells. We know that the Nauptre, who are advanced enough to be on the cusp of subliming, still use virtual hells for example, but we never learn why. 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 really 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, the conclusion isn't rushed, and the locations and races and characters all serve a purpose, compared to, say, Matter. (The Quietus agent's arc was still weak though, in my opinion).
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, we never really learn what the pro-hell, advanced civilizations' perspectives are on the virtual hells. We know that the Nauptre, who are advanced enough to be on the cusp of subliming, still use virtual hells for example, but we never learn why. 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 really central to Lededje's story.