Charles Stross: Iron Sunrise
Iron Sunrise is in the same setting as Stross' earlier book, Singularity Sky, which I haven't yet read. However, considering how much I liked this, the other novel firmly on the to-acquire list.
Iron Sunrise reads like a combination of Vernor Vinge, Dan Simmons, and Eric Flint, in a manga style, with elements of Cory Doctorow's style creeping in. It's fairly non-stop action, and there's little to no explanation of the science involved, which makes it a comfortable straight-through read. The plot twists nicely, while never leaving plausability, and the main villains of the piece are believable in their evil.
There's a definite awareness, too, of the changed nature of narrative in an era of mobile communications, and that follows through into changes in social structures and identities. Unlike older science fiction, which in modern eyes looks implausible without technology we already have, Iron Sunrise rings true.
While the story is complete in and of itself, the ending demands a sequel, and there are enough plot threads left loose, if not dangling, that they can be gathered up for the next book. I'm looking forward to it.
Posted by Drew Shiel at July 26, 2006 1:49 PM
You may want to read Accelerando by Stross, it's available for free online. While not in the same vein as Iron Sunrise, it's a gross informational overload, especially the first parts.
While I have to agree with you on your remark on old science fiction, a nice counterpoint is True Names by Vernor Vinge, it was publishe in '81, and is only very slightly dated 25 years later.
Posted by: Tassos Bassoukos at August 4, 2006 6:43 PM