Vortex
Ratings13
Average rating3.5
15
Ratings13
Average rating3.5
Vortex tells the story of Turk Findley, the protagonist introduced in Axis, who is transported ten thousand years into the future by the mysterious entities called "the Hypotheticals." In this future humanity exists on a chain of planets connected by Hypothetical gateways; but Earth itself is a dying world, effectively quarantined. Turk and his young friend Isaac Dvali are taken up by a community of fanatics who use them to enable a passage to the dying Earth, where they believe a prophecy of human/Hypothetical contact will be fulfilled. The prophecy is only partly true, however, and Turk must unravel the truth about the nature and purpose of the Hypotheticals before they carry him on a journey through warped time to the end of the universe itself. Vortex is thrilling and complex science fiction novel from Hugo Award-winning author Robert Charles Wilson.
Featured Series
3 primary booksSpin is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2005 with contributions by Robert Charles Wilson.
Reviews with the most likes.
Après Spin et Axis, je viens de terminer Vortex, le troisième et dernier volume de cette saga de science-fiction. Le récit est différent de ceux des deux premiers volumes, aussi différent qu'Axis l'était de Spin. La construction, avec 2 lignes temporelles qui alternent, ménage le suspense, parfois de façon artificielle, mais cela donne finalement de lire le roman plus vite. J'ai apprécié, en tout cas, et je garderai un bon souvenir de cette trilogie intéressante et bien pensée.
The third (and presumably final) chapter in the Spin saga, by Robert Charles Wilson takes the form of Vortex. A worthy successor to the award-winning Spin, and equally fascinating Axis, Vortex wraps up the story of the Hypotheticals, and Earth's fate from these seemingly unintelligible beings.
Unfortunately, Vortex doesn't quite capture the same level of intrigue as the previous novels in the series. Though the ending is far-spanning, and reveals the ultimate answers, fans may not find them particularly rewarding. In fact, much of the back story feels grudgingly provided, as if the author only added it as an afterthought. This is not only unusual for Wilson, but disappointing.
Vortex takes place in many different locations, and follows three primary characters throughout the book (another huge change from the previous novels in the series). Turk Findley makes a return, and is most certainly the primary character. After being introduced in Axis, he's become the central character to the series, or at least the final two-thirds. Axis also follows two other characters, of varying interest. Confusing is that the timeframes take place in two very different settings, jumping back and forth. Credit must be given to Wilson, however, for choosing the exact right moments to cut from one timeframe to the other; they are often done just at a moment of high suspense.
The story takes a slow and meandering path toward the end, and it's only the last few pages that actually reveal the end-game of the saga. It's really as though Wilson ran out of steam, and the series finishes with more of a whimper than a bang. The ultimate story is still fascinating, but doesn't lead up to much of a climax, and may leave some readers disappointed.
Still, as a novel, Vortex is a fascinating read, and actually stands very well on its own, with readers not necessarily having to have read the previous entries in the series–quite an accomplishment on its own. Events in the novel keep the pages turning, and the characters are deep enough to be truly cared about, especially up until the very end.
Fans of the Spin saga should most certainly read this book to close out the series, and any fan of science fiction should not only read this book, but any of the works by Robert Charles Wilson.
