Hilldiggers

A Novel of the Polity

By: Neal Asher

Narrated by: David Marantz

During a war between two planets in the same solar system - each occupied by adapted humans - what is thought to be a cosmic superstring is discovered. After being cut, this object collapses into four cylindrical pieces, each about the size of a tube train. Each is densely packed with either alien technology or some kind of life. They are placed for safety in three ozark cylinders of a massively secure space station. There a female research scientist subsequently falls pregnant, and gives birth to quads. Then she commits suicide - but why? By the end of the war one of the contesting planets has been devastated by the hilldiggers - giant space dreadnoughts employing weapons capable of creating mountain ranges. The quads have meanwhile grown up and are assuming positions of power in the post-war society. One of them will eventually gain control of the awesome hilldiggers....

©2002 Neal Asher (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Good Story

Not really a continuation of the first book, as I had expected. However, still quite enjoyable. :)

Interesting stand alone story from a developing author

The dry and technical style both drives and detracts from a thematically complex narrative. While this book can be skipped when exploring Asher, more enjoyment can be had in some of his later releases.

An excellent book.

Mich better than the first in the series. A good place to look it Iain M. Banks departure has left a void in your library.

Scattered

The storyline is very difficult to follow considering all of those "retroacts". Terrible world building, shallow and mundane dialogue, and absolutely freshman tier character building. While I generally like the author's works, this one I gave up a few hours into it.

A Neal Asher

What the hell. I like Asher. He has a good imagination and his books are interesting.

This book just irritated the hell out of me. I kept waiting for it not to suck. This book disappointed me.
I don’t like to write a negative review but don’t bother.