The Algebraist

More great SF on an epic scale from Iain M. Banks. For me this is a good workmanlike story, but doesn't really break any new ground. An individual with an obscure talent is caught up in the middle of intergalactic forces they don't understand, but can save the day by doing what they do best. It's Player of Games all over again. Entertaining read, though.

Couldn't get into it - gave up...

yummy gas giants!!

This was the first SF novel by Banks that I've read. He's a scarily good writer. His worlds are fascinating and rich, his science seems well thought out and accurate, while never bogging down the plot. The characters are well drawn though seldom easy to care for.

Iain M. Banks has always written challenging and entertaining stories, and this one is no exception. On the one hand, the plot is clear and simple: a Mythic Object needs to be found before an invasion takes place. On the other hand, the way time is handled makes the novel stand out. Despite being under time pressure, the story still takes place over the course of hundreds of years, and Banks...more

Iain M. Banks has always written challenging and entertaining stories, and this one is no exception. On the one hand, the plot is clear and simple: a Mythic Object needs to be found before an invasion takes place. On the other hand, the way time is handled makes the novel stand out. Despite being under time pressure, the story still takes place over the course of hundreds of years, and Banks handles the odd extension of time involved with space travel very well. Some of the most memorable aliens are invented here, and the entire concept of time is challenged and distorted. It's a challenging read for this reason, but well worth the effort. And for once humans aren't at the center of the intergalactic universe.   hide

My first book in the "space opera" genre. Why did I pick up this book? Now I'm hooked on the genre. Darn the cover artist and back cover synopsis writer! A sci-fi favorite.

Very good, high concept science fiction. I can't store this book for a while, because I'm going to pass it around for quite some time...

great stuff

Fantastic story, a modern science fiction epic on par with "Dune". But, not for the impatient or those with short attention spans.