Revenger by Alastair Reynolds Review

Revenger takes a little while to get going. There’s a few words dotted around which clearly have importance (and indeed, come to form the basis of the story) which aren’t explained until later, and as such it would be easy to switch off and read something else. But, let me assure you, that’s not a good idea.

What is a good idea, is to stick it out. A story about the Ness sisters, Revenger is written from the perspective of Fura Ness, who gets separated from her sister and sets about travelling through a universe of manufactured worlds and protected planet-type things in order to seek revenge on those who captured her. The way the author portrays the worlds they inhabit and visit along the way is fantastic, and it’s incredibly easy to get a strong mental image of what the various locations and ships look like.

The plot, too, is excellent once it gets going, and the final half of the book is incredibly difficult to put down. The various fights and battles which take place along the way are as shocking as they are surprising, and after a relatively quiet opening the chapters where the sister get separated come with a big impact, and one which I felt really helped move the characters along.

If you like your stories set in fantasy space settings, where old-fashioned pirate ships cross with inter-stellar treasure hunting and blood-spilling battles, this is perfect for you.