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Title: Better that your average space opera
Review: For anyone who gets bored by 'hard' SF, this novel has a lot more going for it, well-described cultures and technologies, action on a grand scale, a backstory which will leave you amazed and a even couple of half-decent female characters. While I felt it flagged a bit at times, for a first novel it's a fantastic piece of work and I hope Alistair Reynolds goes on to even better things - he could be the new Iain Banks.
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