Archives: Book Reviews

The man is a phenomenon. Iain M Banks’ science fiction is of the highest caliber, to my mind it is the best of this or any earlier era. Yes, you wait for it, but the wait is always worth it; and it’s not as if you won’t read this book at least a few times. This Culture book often reads like Banks’ mainstream fiction. It is after all a family saga.
There was nobody of her own kind within several thousand light years of where Djan Seriy Anaplian sat. However, news from her home world of Sursamen would still reach her.
Djan Seriy Anaplian is, after all, a member of Special Circumstances - a troubleshooter for the Culture, intervening when necessary to ensure that order and balance is maintained throughout the galaxy. The news itself, unfortunately, is not good. Her father has died. Her brother too, it seems; both in the latest war against a neighbouring kingdom.
Anaplian must journey home, but while she does so, another will seek her out. For someone on Sursamen believes her to be their last hope. What neither of them know is that she might also be the last hope for the entire world.