Poseidon's Wake

By: Alastair Reynolds

Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh

This novel is a stand-alone story which takes two extraordinary characters and follows them as they, independently, begin to unravel some of the greatest mysteries of our universe.

Their missions are dangerous, and they are all venturing into the unknown . . . and if they can uncover the secret to faster-than-light travel then new worlds will be at our fingertips.

But innovation and progress are not always embraced by everyone. There is a saboteur at work. Different factions disagree about the best way to move forward. And the mysterious Watchkeepers are ever-present.

Completing the informal trilogy which began with Blue Remembered Earth and On the Steel Breeze, this is a powerful and effective story.

(p) 2015 Orion Publishing Group©2015 Alastair Reynolds

Critic reviews

a novel that works brilliantly as a space adventure and also reads, touchingly, almost as an atheist's reflection on why a kind of optimistic agnosticism may be a useful approach to finding contentment

It's grand, involving and full of light and wonder. Poseidon's Wake is one of the best sci-fi novels of the year

his finest moment yet and a glorious conclusion of the trilogy. A wonderful book and best that British SF has to offer at the moment

Although a long book, with so much story to fit in there is a brevity to the text which makes it an easy read which can be enjoyed as a standalone even though it satisfactorily revisits and resolves the majority of the threads from the previous novels

a well realised sci-fi universe, with plausible character

Having completed the trilogy I now want to return to its beginning and re-read. Alastair Reynolds is one of my very favourite authors, every book is a much-anticipated event, and withPoseidon's Wake he shows yet again why that is. I loved every single page.

Transhumans, talking elephants, inscrutable aliens and good old fashioned spaceship fights all contribute to a breathtaking adventure

Fantastic. One of a kind. Different.

If you could sum up Poseidon's Wake in three words, what would they be?

Exploration. Elephants. African. Family.

Have you listened to any of Adjoa Andoh’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no. quite good, but at times a bit hard to understand. e.g. too much played accent :)

Any additional comments?

If you want an action packed story look elsewhere. This is a story about people, their feelings, day-to-day interactions... Very interesting mix of hard science & nature animal story.

Weakest Reynolds book overall

Soso Story, annoying characters, and childish philosophy. hugely disappointing finale to an otherwise enjoyable trilogy :(