Lords of Uncreation by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Buy from: Amazon UK
Buy from: Amazon USA
Buy from: eBay
Buy from Bookshop.org indie booksellers
Buy from: Blackwells UK
Buy from: Google Play E-book Store
SFcrowsnest readers, if your idea of a good time is exploring bizarre alien landscapes from the comfort of your armchair, Adrian Tchaikovsky's "Lords of Uncreation" is a delightfully outrageous trip you won't want to miss.
In this second installment of the "Final Architecture" series, our hero, Idris Telemmier, continues his mind-bending journey through unspace. Idris, the intermediary who can somehow comprehend the stratum of the universe that allows nearly instantaneous space travel, has become a hot commodity among different groups who want to harness his powers. Poor Idris, he just wanted to understand the universe, and now he can't get a moment's peace.
Idris' journey is not solitary, though. The story is a wild ride with a diverse cast of characters that would make the cantina scene in Star Wars look like a church picnic. We have the Partheni, female clone warriors with their own political organization, and the Essiel, giant beings with tentacled arms and eye stalks. And let's not forget about the Tothiar, human symbionts with lobster-like creatures attached to their spines that give them fearsome healing abilities. Tchaikovsky's imagination is a character in and of itself, creating a universe teeming with strange species and human variants .
The story is propelled by the return of the Architects, moon-sized entities with a penchant for planetary destruction. It's like having a celestial wrecking ball swinging about the galaxy, and everyone's scrambling to find the off switch .
"Lords of Uncreation" picks up where "Eyes of the Void" left off and continues with the same, often tongue-in-cheek, tone. It's a cosmic game of cat-and-mouse with Idris as the proverbial cheese, and alliances forming and breaking faster than you can say "hyperspace". The novel's pacing is top-notch, with each planet presenting unique challenges and the stakes being raised with each page turn.
Our knife-duelist lawyer, Kris, and space-barge pilot, Olli, return, adding much-needed stability and wit to the ever-changing landscape. We also see more of the human cost of the situation, particularly through Idris' eyes, adding a layer of emotional depth that makes the story even more engaging .
So, SFcrowsnest fans, if you're in the mood for a galactic adventure that combines brilliant world-building, witty dialogue, and an array of characters as diverse as the Milky Way itself, "Lords of Uncreation" is your next destination. Strap in, and don't forget to pack your sense of humor – you're going to need it.