I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Eversion by Alastair Reynolds Published by Orbit on August 2 2022
Genres: Adult, Science fiction
Pages: 432
Format: Finished paperback
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A mind-bending mystery through time and space, Eversion takes readers on a dangerous journey of discovery.
Eversion was such a unique book! This is one of those stories that doesn’t really come together until the very end, so readers will need to be patient. But the ultimate payoff was worth the wait, and the journey was fascinating. Despite my confusion for most of the book, I loved following the mystery of the Demeter and its fantastical voyage through time and space.
We meet Doctor Silas Coade in the 1800s, ship’s doctor on the Demeter, a sailing vessel on an expedition to find something called the Edifice. The expedition ends in tragedy, but that’s not really the end, not by a long shot. Later, we find Coade on the steam ship Demeter, also headed on an expedition to locate the Edifice. And again, things do not go well for the crew. Silas Coade pops up many years later in an airship with the same crew, and even later in a spaceship. Each time, the ship meets a terrible fate, but the crew seems to get closer and closer to their goal.
Why is this happening? You’ll have to read the book to find out, otherwise I’ll be venturing into spoiler territory if I tell you anything else about the plot. This is my first time reading anything by Alastair Reynolds, and from what I understand, Eversion is quite different from his other books. Reynolds usually writes sprawling space operas, and this story feels much more intimate, especially since most of the story takes place inside various ships and focuses on a core group of characters.
Just like a carefully plotted mystery, Eversion keeps readers guessing for a very long time, but that’s why this book is so much fun. Reynolds lays down strategic clues throughout his tale, but unless you’re paying attention, you might miss them. I will say that one particular story element popped up in the first chapter, and it was so jarring and out of place that I just knew it was going to be important later on. And sure enough, that element was a recurring theme in each iteration of the Demeter. When this particular mystery is finally revealed near the end, I wanted to go back and see what I had missed along the way. There are other clues too, although they’re harder to spot. But I didn’t mind the confusion, because putting all the pieces together was so much fun.
Alastair Reynolds’ atmospheric descriptions of the different time periods were so well done. In each time period, Doctor Coade is addicted to some kind of substance. First it’s opium, and later morphine. At one point, photography has been invented and we get to see how the characters use it on the ship. We also get to witness the progression of medicine, as Coade is always a doctor, but his equipment and methods keep evolving as the story goes along. In the beginning, he’s treating a patient with a serious head injury, and later that same character appears with the same injury, but medical practices have improved, and so Coade is able to better help his patient. I found this evolution fascinating!
And if you’re looking for mind-bending fiction, then look no further. Reynolds includes high concept ideas from physics and mathematics that supply some of the answers to this very strange story, and he even includes a cartographer/mathematician on the crew who is obsessed with solving the problem the crew is facing. I loved the way this character takes on an important role at the end as well. The author also plays with perspective, which I loved. Imagine seeing things from the prow of a steam ship, and then finding yourself floating through the air in an airship. Both vessels approach the Edifice from different directions and the result is a dizzying experience.
By far my favorite part of the book was the last chapter, where Reynolds has one more surprise in store for his readers. After finally revealing what’s going on, the author takes things one step further and gives us an emotional, feel good ending that I wasn’t expecting. If you’re looking for something different that will completely twist your view of reality, then Eversion is a must read.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, I – Reynolds fanboy that I am – loved Eversion! It’s a tricky one to review without giving too much away, but you’ve managed it here with style. Great review!
Thanks Ollie!
Great review – we’ll done on dodging spoilers! I didn’t enjoy this as much as you but I had fun tracking the clues through the narrative (I may have drawn way too many conclusions based on who was / not included in the photograph )
Oh shoot I missed that clue with the photograph, lol. Good catch:-)
Great review! You convinced me to try it, though I’m afraid I may not understand a thing! I may need your help with this
Emma @ Words And Peace recently posted…Bout of Books 35: Day 3 recap
Ha ha I’ll admit some of it was over my head. But I just went with it. It was fascinating!
Thoroughly enjoyed this one, too, and as said above – very well done on zero spoilers!
Thanks!
Eversion sounds good, Tammy! Great review as usual.:-)
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…Cover Reveal: Dog Meat
Thank you! I’m glad I read it:-)
I’ve always thought about reading this author. Maybe this is the one.
Anne – Books of My Heart recently posted…Series on Saturday: FBI series
I think this would be a great place to start.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Eversion! I thought this was such a fun format and it was the perfect level of confusion, I think. Love your review, I think you managed to capture things a lot better than myself while also avoiding spoilers, haha! 🙂
Jordan @ Forever Lost in Literature recently posted…Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore & Monsters Born and Made by Tanvi Berwah
It was hard not to spoil it!
Very glad to see you enjoyed this one. I’ve been a big fan of Reynolds work since Revelation Space first came out, and I can’t wait to try this one.
I’d like to try his other books now, he’s such a good writer:-)
I’ve only read one Alastair reynolds and really liked it. That one (Permafrost) was apparently quite different from his usual space operas too. anyway, your review just makes me want to read this even more. I can’t wait!!! And I’m gonna take notes whenever something seems like a clue lol
Greg recently posted…Travelers 01×05
Ha ha maybe you’ll figure things out!
I’ve never read anything by this author (yet). This sounds so mysterious, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Pages and Tea recently posted…Book Review: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1) by Becky Chambers
It was very well written and totally worth it:-)
You definitely know how to get us hooked with your reviews, Tammy! This sounds like another excellent story written by Reynolds! Also curious about how it ties things together by the end of it. Thanks for sharing this great review! 😀
Thanks Lashaan! I need to read more of his books now.
Ah… I’m not sure how I missed this one as I’m fond of Reynolds’ writing! Thank you for a cracking review and I have now put this one on my overlong reading list:)).
This sounds like an amazing read, set in different time periods.
Mervi recently posted…Top 5 Wednesday: New Beginnings
I kept looking at this one but something put me off – possibly the fact that I thought it might be too clever and go above my head. I am very curious about this author though and your review has made me want to read this one now to see if I can figure things out along the way.
Lynn 😀