''Elysium Fire'' is a 2018

hard science fiction Hard science fiction is a category of science fiction characterized by concern for scientific accuracy and logic. The term was first used in print in 1957 by P. Schuyler Miller in a review of John W. Campbell's '' Islands of Space'' in the Novem ...

novel by

Welsh Welsh may refer to: Related to Wales * Welsh, referring or related to Wales * Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales * Welsh people People * Welsh (surname) * Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peop ...

author

Alastair Reynolds Alastair Preston Reynolds (born 13 March 1966) is a Welsh science fiction author. He specialises in hard science fiction and space opera. He spent his early years in Cornwall, moved back to Wales before going to Newcastle University, where he s ...

. It is a direct sequel to '' Aurora Rising'', taking place in the ''Revelation Space'' universe. Reynolds has stated that the novel requires no previous knowledge of ''Aurora Rising,'' functioning as a standalone work. ''Aurora Rising'', ''Elysium Fire'', and ''Machine Vendetta'' comprise the Prefect Dreyfus Emergencies series.

Synopsis

''Elysium Fire'' begins two years after the events of ''Aurora Rising.'' Senior Prefect Tom Dreyfus and Field Prefect Thalia Ng are investigating a series of strange deaths. Random, unconnected citizens in the Glitter Band are "melting"—the neural implants in their heads rapidly overheating and frying their brains. The meltings begin to occur at an increasing rate, and the Prefects have no idea where to start the investigation. As the meltings are happening, several habitats in the Glitter Band, unhappy with the decisions made by Panoply at the end of ''Aurora Rising'', begin seceding from the Glitter Band and thus no longer fall under the authority of Panoply. Leading the movement to secede is the mysterious Julius Devon Garlin Voi, who seems to have inside knowledge of what has been happening.

Reception

Eric Brown of ''

The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...

'' praises Reynolds's world building for the novel, and his ability to populate the far-future technological societies with well rounded characters. ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'' says "the big concepts and complex story effectively pull readers into intriguing speculation about human identity and potential."

References

{{Alastair Reynolds Space opera novels Novels set in the 25th century 2018 British novels Revelation Space Novels by Alastair Reynolds Victor Gollancz Ltd books