|
-
News
- Features
- Events
Calendar
- Editorials
- Monthly
Zine
- Offworld
Report
- Our Daily
RSS Feed
- Movie/TV
Reviews
> Recent movies
> Movies by year
> Movies by title
- Book
Reviews
> Recent books
> Books by year
> Books by title
- Home
- Worlds
- Biography
- Bibliography
- Appearances
- Reviews
- Blog
- Community
- Press
- Links
Become
an Advertiser
- Web
Site Directory
- Search
the Net
- StephenHunt.net
- WoodenRocket.com
- Check
your E-mail
- Non Sci-Fi
News
|
Keeping It Real (Quantum Gravity Book 1) by Justina Robson
01/11/2006 . Source: Paul Skevington 
pub: Gollancz. 279 page enlarged paperback. Price: £10.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-575-07862-6. Buy Keeping It Real in the USA - or Buy Keeping It Real in the UK  check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk
Justina Robson has been exceedingly clear concerning her motivations in writing this book, which are linked to the story behind the production of her previous novel 'Living Next Door To The God of Love'. From the interviews and speeches she has given, it is clear that the process of writing 'Living' involved a kind of torturous psychological self-scouring of a sort that proved enormously mentally taxing to her. 'Keeping It Real' was her way of relieving some of that pressure, by retreating from her 'serious' book into something created purely for fun. True to form, this book is more fun than a barrel of angry, viagra-spiked monkeys.
From the start the novel displays a structure that is highly influenced by that adopted by modern fantasy TV shows as it introduces the reader to the setting with a three-page primer entitled 'Common Knowledge'. It's like a pre-credits catch-up sequence, acclimatising the viewer or in this case, reader, to the peculiarities of the world we are about to enter. It tells us this: at some point in the year 2015, a botched scientific experiment created a 'quantum bomb' that drastically changed the world we know, re-writing its history and separating the world into six distinct regions. These realms include Alfheim, the magically charged land of the Elves; Demonia, it does what is says on the tin and Faery which does likewise.
Into this setting is thrown Lila Black, victim of a mission that went seriously sour, leaving her dismembered and near death. In this condition, she agreed to a process of cybernetic reconstruction that has left her almost more machine than woman, simultaneously signing a contract that forces her never to see her family again. Now she works as a secret agent, using the powers and weaponry concealed within her body to secure the interests of the human realm. She's a kind of uber-hot swiss-army knife.
Lila is assigned to guard the lead singer of a band who has been receiving death threats. Unfortunately for her, the singer is an Elf and it was one of the pointy-eared brigade that sliced and diced her on that unfortunate errand. From this point onwards, things are not going to be easy for our heroine.
In a way reminiscent of the RPG 'Shadowrun', 'Keeping It Real' is an example of the type of fiction that takes all of the good bits of cyberpunk and fantasy and throws them into a microwaveable bag. Luckily, with Robson at the helm, the end result is a tasty treat that has none of those nasty solidified green peas in it. Robson does make use of established archetypes. The Elves behave much as you would expect them to do with their traditionally associated attributes of high magic and culture. The faeries are mischievous and amoral and the demons are a little bit naughty. Despite a reliance on this kind of common-ground storytelling, the book throws up many surprises and gasps of originality. The Elves have a kind of aura around them called an andalune that has an almost physical aspect to it, able to reach out, touch and influence others and in turn be influenced by them. The demons are not pure evil, they're just a bit earthier (fierier?) than your average inhabitant of the six realms. On top of this, it is slowly revealed that few of the characters we meet fit squarely into the mould prepared for them. The Elf Zal is a clear indicator to the reader not to expect to feel comfortable at any point with pre-conceived ideas as to how someone will act in the narrative.
This is a factor essential to the mix of this novel. Strong, memorable characters help to create an atmosphere that supports the super-spy framework. Lila in particular is great. An imperfect warrior who relies on the experimental technology grafted to her body to succeed where others might fail, who simultaneously loathes the thing that she has become. Lila is more Bristow than Bond, her relationships are traumatic and plagued by the insecurities she has about her body. She rarely works alone neither. In fact, she has an exceedingly close relationship with one Elf that is liable to continue for some time. The foundations of an ensemble cast of characters are laid here. This is after all the start of a series, 'Keeping It Real' is only book one of the Quantum Gravity books.
This is not the SF of ground-shaking ideas or head-spinning logic. It's a book that revels in pop culture, action, romance and the nuts and bolts of cyber-fantastical fun. For those familiar with the style, it's an enjoyable, engaging read but it would also function as an admirable entry-point to those who might think of SF as being a little sterile and off-putting. Book two is out next year, and I look forward to the scene where little roller-skates come out of Lila's feet during a chase sequence.
Well you never know, do you?
Paul Skevington
|
|
