Simon MacDonald

I've read most of Alistair Reynolds' books, but this series is not up to his usual standard. Doesn't do it for me.

3.5 good fun

A rollicking space opera/fantasy with dark necromancy, black humour, and an underlying susurration of repressed sexual tension.

One the best reads I've had for ages

Somewhat better than the first A. Shaw book, The Whole Truth. Better characterisation, and a decent plot, but not up to the standard of his other books. I wonder if there will be a third in the series?