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A Deepness in the Sky
Series: S.F. Masterworks
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Check link for latest rating. ( 34,759 ratings, 1,415 reviews)
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A Deepness in the Sky
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
The Hugo and John W. Campbell Memorial Award-winning prequel to the magnificent A FIRE UPON THE DEEP.
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Description
A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge is an extraordinary work of science fiction that explores the grandeur and complexity of interstellar exploration and commerce. Set in the distant future, this gripping prequel to the critically acclaimed A Fire Upon the Deep captures readers with an epic tale spanning hundreds of years and the farthest reaches of Human Space.
The story centres around Pham Nuwen, a strikingly resilient character, who is a member of the Queng Ho, an interstellar trading fleet intent on making profitable exchanges across the galaxy. Their journey brings them to a mysterious alien world, Arachna, which remains dormant in freezing darkness, revolving around an On/Off star that undergoes long periods of inactivity. As the star eventually reignites, it promises to thaw the planet and awaken a host of opportunities and challenges.
Hopeful to harness and share in the technological boom that Arachna might experience, the Queng Ho fleet is met with an equally ambitious but ominous counterpart, the Emergents. While the Queng Ho endeavour to engage in honest and aggressive trade, the Emergents harbour far more malevolent intentions. Their plans for Arachna and its inhabitants hint at enslavement and even genocide, casting a shadow over the potential for peaceful and prosperous engagement.
With intricate and interwoven character arcs, A Deepness in the Sky presents a compelling narrative that's as much about the personal struggles and ambitions of its characters as it is about the grandeur of space exploration. Pham Nuwen's journey reflects broader themes of power, morality, and survival. The conflict between the Queng Ho and the Emergents serves as an intense backdrop, propelling the reader through a captivating story of cunning strategy, exploration, and unforeseen consequences.
Throughout the novel, Vernor Vinge's masterful storytelling and deep understanding of technological and societal complexities create an immersive and thought-provoking experience. This is science fiction at its finest, merging speculative ideas with profound insights into human nature and the ethical dimensions of conquest and prosperity.
Perfect for fans of epic space operas and intricate, character-driven adventures, A Deepness in the Sky is a must-read that will leave readers both reflective and eager for more. Prepare to be enthralled by this visionary masterpiece.
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Vernor Vinge's A Deepness in the Sky is celebrated for its richly imagined worlds and immersive storytelling. Considered a revelatory space opera, it is compared favourably to the works of Arthur C. Clarke and Greg Bear. Reviewers highlight its epic take on a first-contact scenario and its blend of vivid, suspenseful, and realistic elements. The book is seen as a triumph in deep-space adventure, with believable villains and a hopeful vision for the future.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781473211964
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 14 July 2016
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Gollancz
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 38.0mm
Width: 134.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 390g
Pages: 560
About the Author
Vernor Vinge (1944-2024)
Vernor Steffen Vinge was born in Wisconsin in 1944. He was a retired San Diego State University Professor of Mathematics, a computer scientist and science fiction author. He is best known for his two epic space operas A Fire Upon the Deep (1992) and A Deepness in the Sky (1999), both of which won the Hugo Award and were shortlisted for the Nebula. He is the winner of 5 Hugos, 4 Prometheus Awards and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, among many others. In addition to his works of science fiction, Vinge authored the influential 1993 essay 'The Coming Technological Singularity', in which he argued that the creation of superhuman artificial intelligence will mark the point at which 'the human era will be ended', such that no current models of reality are sufficient to predict beyond it.Also by Vernor Vinge
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