"Fall Revolution" Review Part 2

And now I conclude my review of the "Fall Revolution" series.

The Casini Division takes place immediately after the events depicted in "The Stone Canal". The main character, Ellen May, is a member of the elite Cassini Division whose job is to guard the solar system from the people beyond the malley mile, as well as the post-human AIs who dwell on Jupiter.

The Solar Union, where the story is set, contrasts sharply with the unrestrained anarcho-capitalism of New Mars. While Reed and his followers were busy on New Mars the people of Earth endured plagues, wars and attacks from the Jovians. While New Mars is ultra-libertarian, the Solar Union has been built around an ideology known as the true knowledge, a strange form of self-centred communism based on a mix of Marx, Nietszche and Confuscius. The most entertaining part of this book is the inevitable clash between the two vastly different civilisations as Macleod weighs up the advantages and disadvantages of both systems. However in spite of the book's interesting premise and the return of characters like Dee, Reed and Wilde it is easily the weakest in the series. Which isn't to say it's bad, it's just not as good as the other three. The first main flaw is the character of Ellen May. She is extremely difficult to sympathise with and frankly at times it's hard to care about what happens to her. The second is that the novel takes about a hundred pages to get going which is fairly atypical of Macleod. In spite of these minor criticisms I must say that this is a fine novel in the spirit of Ursula LeGuin's "The Dispossessed". Final Verdict: 8/10.


"The Sky Road" is the concluding part of the "Fall Revolution" saga and sees a return to the alternating chapter system of "The Stone Canal". Before I go on I should mention that "The Sky Road" is set in an alternative timeline to the previous two books and is not, as some think, set before the events in "The Cassini Division". That out of the way, I begin the review. "The Sky Road" is original, well-written, compelling and quite simply one of the best books I have ever read. The main plotline is set in Scotland in a strange low-tech future where wandering computer programmers are deeply mistrusted by the majority of society and where humanity is about to make their first attempt at space travel in centuries. The second plotline, focusing on Myra Godwin, a minor character from the earlier novels, explains how this strange future came to be. Both plotlines are helped by the presence of interesting and likeable characters. I should also mention that this book showcases Macleod's abilities as a writer of place and Macleod's descriptions of Scotland are stunning and evocative. This book is a fitting conclusion, tying up loose ends from previous books and the ending is as unexpected as it is poetic. Final Verdict: 10/10.

Well that's it. Now, stop reading my blog and buy these bloody books.

You Are Heineken

You appreciate a good beer, but you're not a snob about it. You like your beer mild and easy to drink, so you can concentrate on being drunk. Overall, you're a friendly drunk who's likely to buy a whole round for your friends... many times. Sometimes you can be a bit boring when you drink. You may be prone to go on about topics no one cares about.

What's Your Beer Personality?

Surprisingly accurate.

The "Fall Revolution" series by Ken MacLeod

Writers are usually advised to write about what they know, and what Ken MacLeod knows is politics. A member of various political parties (and sects) over the years and an astute political blogger, this was the area he chose to explore in the Fall Revolution books, a loosely connected series about advanced AI, the third world war and their effect on humanity. I should mention beforehand that this is my favourite Sci Fi series and if I sound a little fanboyish I apologise.

"The Star Fraction" is the first in the series and is admittedly a difficult book to get into. The reader is immediately thrown into the complicated world of mid 21st century Britain, where much of the country has been divided up into various mini-states and political factions all feuding with each other for power and influence while the US/UN maintains control through Space Defence, a system of space-lasers pointed at Earth. Infodumping is virtually non-existent here. The history and science of MacLeod's world is revealed as the book rapidly progresses and it's down to the reader to keep up. This approach has both advantages and potential pitfalls but amazingly (especially considering this was his debut novel), MacLeod pulls it off with gusto. Unfortunately this book's appeal is somewhat limited and the average reader can't honestly be expected to grasp in-jokes like Ted Grant and Tony Cliff following Trotsky through a forest, arguing furiously. Though much of "The Star Fraction" is fairly incomprehensible to anyone without an insider knowledge of far left politics, those who salivate at the thought of Trotskyist mercenaries, Space-Lasers and advanced AI will find an original, witty and exciting read, albeit with the rough edges to be expected of a debut novel. Final Verdict: 9/10 .


The second and arguably best in the series. "The Stone Canal" is set much further in the future than "The Star Fraction" and follows the trials and adventures of the newly resurrected Jonathan Wilde, whose last memory is of his own murder. The narrative is extremely clever and well executed. The chapters alternate between the present (er, future) and the past. The chapters set on New Mars deal with the main plot while the others, set mainly in the 20th and early 21st centuries, fill in many of the gaps regarding the ascendency of the US/UN and the aftermath of the events depicted in "The Star Fraction". This structure of alternating chapters works extremely well. The New Mars chapters introduce us to a strange and complicated future while the chapters set in the past explain how that future came to be. MacLeod uses this approach again in "The Sky Road" (and to a lesser extent in "The Star Fraction" and "The Cassini Division") and it is telling that these are the two best books in the series. "The Stone Canal" is brilliant for it's memorable main characters, particularly Jon Wilde, and interesting setting and unlike the first in the series doesn't require much knowledge of politics, meaning it is far more accessible. Final Verdict: 10/10.

That's it for the first two books. "The Casini Division" and "The Sky Road" will be reviewed within the next few days.

"Transformation" by Carol Berg

Most fantasy books in recent times can pretty much be divided into two categories, sprawling multi-POV epics like A Game of Thrones and The Wheel of Time (The Jordan School) and more intimate character driven fantasy (The Hobb School). Transformation definetely falls into the latter category. It focuses on only two characters, Seyonne and Aleksander, but unlike most fantasy authors, Berg develops her characters extensively and realistically. The enjoyment from reading this book comes not from the events depicted but from watching Aleksander grow from a spoilt and cruel princeling into a loyal and sympathetic character and Seyonne regain his dignity after years of slavery.

This book is ideal for anyone who wants a light read that doesn't lack depth or complexity. Transformation is fairly short (about 400 pages) and it's Arabian setting, though original and well realised, isn't explored in detail. Once again the characters are the most important factor and characters are to Berg what battle scenes are to Salvatore. Seyonne and Aleksander are flawed, multi-faceted and entertaining and Berg successfully avoids the archetypes this blog so abhorrs. I should also mention that Carol Berg comes second only to Robin Hobb in her mastery of the first person POV and it serves her well here.

It's hard to find anything negative to say about "Transformation" (except it's horrible cover art). It certainly isn't groundbreaking or particularly original but it is an entertaining and well written book and is perfect for anyone who doesn't want to begin yet another 12-book epic. Highly recommended

Final Verdict: 8/10

And so the journey begins.........

Hello, I'm the first post. This blog will be dedicated to literature, be it literary fiction, biography, history, politics or fantasy. The title comes from writer and critic Charles Von Rospach and goes: "And lo, though I travel through the valley of the archetypes, I shall fear no evil, for I know that the author can't kill me off for at least another 150 pages, no matter how stupid or trite I become, or he ruins the book." Wise words indeed.