Tom

A compelling premise that is let down by the character of Svetlana. Throughout the book I didn't know whether to be appalled or impressed that the author had created such a despicable, hypocritical and irredeemable character. By the end, the fact that I was actively rooting against her made the last act more frustrating than thrilling.

At this point in the series Banks has fully realised his vision for the Culture and it is glorious.

Having watched the first season of the TV show I was pleasantly surprised by how fast paced the book is. I don't think the characters are particularly well rounded but I'm here primarily for the setting and that carries the narrative throughout.

Alistair Reynolds takes relativistic space travel very seriously and it adds natural tension and scale to his work. House of Suns worked better for me than Pushing Ice mainly due to the strength of the characters, there is emotional depth and empathy here that I couldn't find in the other book.

The setup of Hill House as an antagonistic force is so compelling that the events end up feeling restrained and slightly underwhelming.

I love the idea of a house that has been built (or has morphed) to be disorientating. Lulling it's inhabitants into a literal false sense of security. I suspect that The Devil in the White City will make for a good companion piece in this regard.