nicanical
Excession follows several Minds responding to a strange sphere (the Excession of the title) in Culture space, while tenuous allies—the Affront—also encroach. This is the Culture novel for fans of the AI: Minds are the focus, with humans in the supporting role. There are plenty of ship names sans gravitas, exhibits of obscenely powerful Culture technology, and repartee between Minds (the names sometimes make it difficult to follow along though).
But, because the Minds carry the main story (and the Minds have their omnipotent reputation), from the beginning it feels like whatever happens with respect to the Excession, the Minds and the Culture can't fail. This defuses any tension in the main story and makes the unfolding of the plot feel just okay. This is why, to my surprise, I was more invested in the Genar-Hofoen and Dajeil subplot: their reconciliation is not guaranteed—it might fail.
I wish Banks had cut Ulver Seich out of the story though; she doesn't add anything, and her character is insufferable. Many Culture stories feature immature characters but Ulver is the worst of the worst, being something like a combination trust fund baby-social media influencer.
Excession follows several Minds responding to a strange sphere (the Excession of the title) in Culture space, while tenuous allies—the Affront—also encroach. This is the Culture novel for fans of the AI: Minds are the focus, with humans in the supporting role. There are plenty of ship names sans gravitas, exhibits of obscenely powerful Culture technology, and repartee between Minds (the names sometimes make it difficult to follow along though).
But, because the Minds carry the main story (and the Minds have their omnipotent reputation), from the beginning it feels like whatever happens with respect to the Excession, the Minds and the Culture can't fail. This defuses any tension in the main story and makes the unfolding of the plot feel just okay. This is why, to my surprise, I was more invested in the Genar-Hofoen and Dajeil subplot: their reconciliation is not guaranteed—it might fail.
I wish Banks had cut Ulver Seich out of the story though; she doesn't add anything, and her character is insufferable. Many Culture stories feature immature characters but Ulver is the worst of the worst, being something like a combination trust fund baby-social media influencer.