Peter Watts (1) (1958–)

Fantastically cynical hard sci-fi, overflowing with ideas. Some of the most memorable are barely relevant to the plot. Themes of first contact, alien lifeforms, body modification, consciousness, communication. Wrapped in a gripping and highly focussed plot. Hope the later books live up to this one.

Very compelling page turner with a really interesting concept. I did not understand all the science jargon (bits of which I think he just invented without explaining, which fine) but the stuff I *did* understand was genuinely interesting. In a way having a lot of words I only vaguely got an impression from was good because it makes the whole thing seem as alien and out of my comprehension as it should be.

If you've ever bemoaned starting from zero with each new book, hearing the same sci fi tropes explained for the hundredth time and just want a book that throws you in the deep end, this is it. With shades of Hyperion and The Expanse, this single book has packed in the world building of a trilogy and expects you to keep up.
Although the book is dense and narratively complex in a rewarding way, it stumbles a bit toward the end and doesn't tie things up in a nice bow. High hopes for the sequel.