It's hard to swig rum with your suit sealed. Bone Silence, my review.

Bone Silence by Alastair Reynolds

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


And the final (for now) volume on the Ness sisters has been read.

I have a hard time categorizing this book. On the surface, the premise of the trilogy sounds like a YA book, two sisters run away and become space pirates. But the story goes much deeper than that, and over the three books, we're introduced to a fairly terrifying vision of the future.

As usual, the star is Reynolds' worldbuilding. Set at least 10 million years into the future, when the solar system has been disassembled to created some 20,000 habitats, and the rise and fall of civilization is divided into 13 Occupations, the breadth of vision is amazing. It also allows for the ships of the series to be powered by solar sails, given a Golden Age of Piracy feel to the story.

In this final book, Reynolds tries to wrap up several mysteries while keeping the crew on the run. It mostly works, and most of the plot gets resolved, but the last third feels hurried. A wonderful adversary is found, presented as a terrible threat to the heroes, then dispatched almost without a thought. A great revelation that changes the understanding of the Occupations and humanity's past is dealt with a little too quickly, and the finale is just a little too easily handled.

There's a lot more to this tale, but for now, we have to wait. But still, a rollicking tale of space pirates, hidden treasures, and dark secrets. Roll out the coil guns and spread the catchcloth!



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