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Revelation Space #1.5
Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into interstellar space ...Alastair Reynolds burst onto the SF scene with the Arthur C. Clarke Award-shortlisted REVELATION SPACE, British Science Fiction Award-winning CHASM CITY, and REDEMPTION ARK. Now experience the phenomenal imagination and breathtaking vision of 'The most exciting space opera writer working today' (Locus) in these two tales of high adventure set in the same universe as his novels. The title story, 'Diamond Dogs', tells of a group of mercenaries trying to unravel the mystery of a particularly inhospitable alien tower on a distant world; 'Turquoise Days' is about Naqi, who has devoted her life to studying the alien Pattern Jugglers.
231 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2001
About the author
Alastair Reynolds
276 books8,349 followersI'm Al, I used to be a space scientist, and now I'm a writer, although for a time the two careers ran in parallel. I started off publishing short stories in the British SF magazine Interzone in the early 90s, then eventually branched into novels. I write about a novel a year and try to write a few short stories as well. Some of my books and stories are set in a consistent future named after Revelation Space, the first novel, but I've done a lot of other things as well and I like to keep things fresh between books.
I was born in Wales, but raised in Cornwall, and then spent time in the north of England and Scotland. I moved to the Netherlands to continue my science career and stayed there for a very long time, before eventually returning to Wales.
In my spare time I am a very keen runner, and I also enjoying hill-walking, birdwatching, horse-riding, guitar and model-making. I also dabble with paints now and then. I met my wife in the Netherlands through a mutual interest in climbing and we married back in Wales. We live surrounded by hills, woods and wildlife, and not too much excitement.
I was born in Wales, but raised in Cornwall, and then spent time in the north of England and Scotland. I moved to the Netherlands to continue my science career and stayed there for a very long time, before eventually returning to Wales.
In my spare time I am a very keen runner, and I also enjoying hill-walking, birdwatching, horse-riding, guitar and model-making. I also dabble with paints now and then. I met my wife in the Netherlands through a mutual interest in climbing and we married back in Wales. We live surrounded by hills, woods and wildlife, and not too much excitement.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 433 reviews
April 12, 2021
two well-crafted novellas set in the author's grim Revelation Space universe, each illustrating the separate goals of each hemisphere within Reynolds' big, brilliant brain.
Left-Brained Reynolds wrote "Diamond Dogs": a studiously perhaps strenuously analytical piece. a small, highly differentiated party of dangerous and dangerously curious explorers return again and again to the death trap that is known as the Blood Spire. there they attempt to solve increasingly difficult logic puzzles that reward them with access to yet another room or, if their answers are incorrect, severely castigate them with surprise mutilation or death. this dark story offers scant answers to its mysteries but does provide pleasures familiar to any who enjoyed the movie Cube (or the book The World House). Overall it was ok, although the title bugged me - and this is a petty complaint, I know - as it doesn't mean much for the story and feels like a David Bowie fanboy decided on the title first and then bent his narrative to fit it to that title. Reynolds bends his characters as well, into new physical shapes that are at first exciting and then, finally, gross and depressing. 2 stars.
Right-Brained Reynolds wrote the superior "Turquoise Days": an enjoyably slow-paced affair that is more concerned with processing visual shapes and patterns, with ambiguity, with implied meanings. this novella is dense with emotion: regret, longing, melancholy, a spurt of anger, and then resignation, peacefulness. it is about the planet of the Pattern Jugglers, a nonsentient but still organic alien archiving system that lives in the oceans of watery Turquoise; some who swim in that ocean contribute a copy of their consciousness to that archive - and if they are particularly sympatico to those consciousness jugglers, they contribute their entire selves, body and all. most of Turquoise Days is about two sisters and the sorrows of one sister as she moves on with her life, her sibling having been subsumed by the ocean. eventually, an actual narrative reveals itself, and the novella becomes if briefly a story of a last fight against off-planet and all-too-human interlopers who would destroy the uniqueness of this beautiful world for reasons either fanatical or righteous, but both wearyingly typical for the human species. it doesn't end well, and yet it sorta does, which is so Alastair Reynolds. all in all, this was a very impressive story. 4 stars.
Left-Brained Reynolds wrote "Diamond Dogs": a studiously perhaps strenuously analytical piece. a small, highly differentiated party of dangerous and dangerously curious explorers return again and again to the death trap that is known as the Blood Spire. there they attempt to solve increasingly difficult logic puzzles that reward them with access to yet another room or, if their answers are incorrect, severely castigate them with surprise mutilation or death. this dark story offers scant answers to its mysteries but does provide pleasures familiar to any who enjoyed the movie Cube (or the book The World House). Overall it was ok, although the title bugged me - and this is a petty complaint, I know - as it doesn't mean much for the story and feels like a David Bowie fanboy decided on the title first and then bent his narrative to fit it to that title. Reynolds bends his characters as well, into new physical shapes that are at first exciting and then, finally, gross and depressing. 2 stars.
Right-Brained Reynolds wrote the superior "Turquoise Days": an enjoyably slow-paced affair that is more concerned with processing visual shapes and patterns, with ambiguity, with implied meanings. this novella is dense with emotion: regret, longing, melancholy, a spurt of anger, and then resignation, peacefulness. it is about the planet of the Pattern Jugglers, a nonsentient but still organic alien archiving system that lives in the oceans of watery Turquoise; some who swim in that ocean contribute a copy of their consciousness to that archive - and if they are particularly sympatico to those consciousness jugglers, they contribute their entire selves, body and all. most of Turquoise Days is about two sisters and the sorrows of one sister as she moves on with her life, her sibling having been subsumed by the ocean. eventually, an actual narrative reveals itself, and the novella becomes if briefly a story of a last fight against off-planet and all-too-human interlopers who would destroy the uniqueness of this beautiful world for reasons either fanatical or righteous, but both wearyingly typical for the human species. it doesn't end well, and yet it sorta does, which is so Alastair Reynolds. all in all, this was a very impressive story. 4 stars.
March 10, 2019
***** 10 STARS - Turquoise Days *****
Turquoise Days is truly exquisite, the single finest work by Alastair Reynolds. A creation of heart and mind and love. The novella is beautifully imagined and realised, a water-world of alien mystery, an idyllic and wondrous place of life and awe.
The central character, Naqi, is an academic who explores this world and the floating Juggler bio-mass and related alien life forms, along with her sister, Mina. Her voice is clear and honest and alive, but not without doubts and fears. Her story is perfectly and gently interwoven with the fate of her world and the Jugglers.
The conclusion is poignant and flawless. I cried.
This is the single most beautiful novella I have read since A Second Chance at Eden by Peter F. Hamilton.
If you read no other Reynolds ever, read Turquoise Days.
Here is a sample from the first page:
Turquoise Days
It was the most perfectly warm and still summer night in months. Even the breeze caused by the airship’s motion was warmer than usual, as soft against her cheek as the breath of an attentive lover. Above, yet hidden by the black curve of the vacuum-bag, the two moons were nearly at their fullest. Microscopic creatures sparkled a hundred metres under the airship, great schools of them daubing galaxies against the profound black of the sea. Spirals, flukes and arms of luminescence wheeled and coiled as if in thrall to secret music.
Turquoise Days is magical, wonderful, visionary. A new beautiful world woven from the heart and mind of the author. Fresh and alive and compelling. Rich and mysterious and captivating. A joy.
______
Diamond Dogs
If you see my updates, you will know that I found Diamond Dogs mostly dull and verbose, and mostly predictable. The characters were unsympathetic, except perhaps for Celestine. The last few pages were the best, even verging on poignant.
NOTE: Please, please also read short stories Enloa, Weather, and Zima Blue. Surely his finest works, along with House of Suns.
Turquoise Days is truly exquisite, the single finest work by Alastair Reynolds. A creation of heart and mind and love. The novella is beautifully imagined and realised, a water-world of alien mystery, an idyllic and wondrous place of life and awe.
The central character, Naqi, is an academic who explores this world and the floating Juggler bio-mass and related alien life forms, along with her sister, Mina. Her voice is clear and honest and alive, but not without doubts and fears. Her story is perfectly and gently interwoven with the fate of her world and the Jugglers.
The conclusion is poignant and flawless. I cried.
This is the single most beautiful novella I have read since A Second Chance at Eden by Peter F. Hamilton.
If you read no other Reynolds ever, read Turquoise Days.
Here is a sample from the first page:
Turquoise Days
It was the most perfectly warm and still summer night in months. Even the breeze caused by the airship’s motion was warmer than usual, as soft against her cheek as the breath of an attentive lover. Above, yet hidden by the black curve of the vacuum-bag, the two moons were nearly at their fullest. Microscopic creatures sparkled a hundred metres under the airship, great schools of them daubing galaxies against the profound black of the sea. Spirals, flukes and arms of luminescence wheeled and coiled as if in thrall to secret music.
Turquoise Days is magical, wonderful, visionary. A new beautiful world woven from the heart and mind of the author. Fresh and alive and compelling. Rich and mysterious and captivating. A joy.
______
Diamond Dogs
If you see my updates, you will know that I found Diamond Dogs mostly dull and verbose, and mostly predictable. The characters were unsympathetic, except perhaps for Celestine. The last few pages were the best, even verging on poignant.
NOTE: Please, please also read short stories Enloa, Weather, and Zima Blue. Surely his finest works, along with House of Suns.
August 2, 2019
Two really fascinating novellas here.
Diamond Dogs is the ULTIMATE in grizzly puzzle-solving dungeon hacking. Just add alien tech, deadly puzzle rooms, and a rag-tag team of transhumanist and alien-modded humans who are monsters in their own right, and set them to work at the problem. :)
I mean, it FEELS like a heist. But a super hard-SF heist.
Turquoise Days really sets us in an alien landscape that pushes the boundaries. Swimming in an ocean of alien minds? Getting transformed so that you become an uber-genius when it comes to math? And it has heart. Totally recommend.
Diamond Dogs is the ULTIMATE in grizzly puzzle-solving dungeon hacking. Just add alien tech, deadly puzzle rooms, and a rag-tag team of transhumanist and alien-modded humans who are monsters in their own right, and set them to work at the problem. :)
I mean, it FEELS like a heist. But a super hard-SF heist.
Turquoise Days really sets us in an alien landscape that pushes the boundaries. Swimming in an ocean of alien minds? Getting transformed so that you become an uber-genius when it comes to math? And it has heart. Totally recommend.
April 15, 2020
Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days is a duet of short stories taking place in Alistair Reynolds' "Revelation Space" setting and is essential reading for its fans. I enjoyed both stories thoroughly, and feel they really round out the "Revelation Space" experience.
Diamond Dogs is a horror story about two competitive men who seek the ultimate challenge in a heavily guarded alien tower. Dr. Trintignant, who is mentioned a few times in the various Revelation Space stories, is featured in this story. This is really fantastic horror, possibly my favorite of the genre.
Turquoise Days is a story about an isolated Juggler world named "Turquoise", and events that occur after it is visited by an Ultranaut Lighthugger. In addition to a great story, we get some additional insights into the Pattern Jugglers.
I'm nearing the end of my Revelation Space journey, only the short story "Open and Shut" remaining. It's a bittersweet moment. I will almost certainly do a re-read some time down the line, but that initial experience of discovery is over. It's like Clavain, Felka, Remontoire, Dreyfus, Jane, Thalia, Sparver, Galiana, Ana, Ilia, Dan, Pascal, Scorpio, Antoinette, and the rest of the cast are all getting on a plane to return home after we spent a magical summer in Hawaii together. Knowing someday we will meet again, but also that our adventure will be over after one final day on the beach. Farewell, my friends.
Diamond Dogs is a horror story about two competitive men who seek the ultimate challenge in a heavily guarded alien tower. Dr. Trintignant, who is mentioned a few times in the various Revelation Space stories, is featured in this story. This is really fantastic horror, possibly my favorite of the genre.
Turquoise Days is a story about an isolated Juggler world named "Turquoise", and events that occur after it is visited by an Ultranaut Lighthugger. In addition to a great story, we get some additional insights into the Pattern Jugglers.
I'm nearing the end of my Revelation Space journey, only the short story "Open and Shut" remaining. It's a bittersweet moment. I will almost certainly do a re-read some time down the line, but that initial experience of discovery is over. It's like Clavain, Felka, Remontoire, Dreyfus, Jane, Thalia, Sparver, Galiana, Ana, Ilia, Dan, Pascal, Scorpio, Antoinette, and the rest of the cast are all getting on a plane to return home after we spent a magical summer in Hawaii together. Knowing someday we will meet again, but also that our adventure will be over after one final day on the beach. Farewell, my friends.
June 7, 2023
Volumul contine 2 povestirii. Prima mi-a placut mai mult(5*) decat a doua povestire (3*).
April 21, 2016
Perfect complementary stories, the Revelation Universe’s Yin and Yang.
Diamond dogs – the Yin, dark, horrifying, claustrophobic, alert, the whole time reading it I was in a permanent state of anguish. Brilliant adaptation of Browning’s “Childe Roland To The Dark Tower Came” or King’s “The Dark Tower”, not sure which of the two was the inspiration. But taken into consideration the horror of the story, I incline towards the latter. 5/5
Turquoise days – the Yang, bright, vivid one, full of life. Perfect balance for the previous one, slow paced, providing closure (of some sort, or at least, opens up the speculations) to the expedition from Diamond Dogs. Great adaptation of the main theme from The Island of Dr. Moreau, human interference upon nature. 5/5
Small advice: if you plan on reading it, read it after the Revelation trilogy (Revelation Space, Redemption Ark, Absolution Gap); it will make more sense and you'll enjoy it threefold.
Diamond dogs – the Yin, dark, horrifying, claustrophobic, alert, the whole time reading it I was in a permanent state of anguish. Brilliant adaptation of Browning’s “Childe Roland To The Dark Tower Came” or King’s “The Dark Tower”, not sure which of the two was the inspiration. But taken into consideration the horror of the story, I incline towards the latter. 5/5
Turquoise days – the Yang, bright, vivid one, full of life. Perfect balance for the previous one, slow paced, providing closure (of some sort, or at least, opens up the speculations) to the expedition from Diamond Dogs. Great adaptation of the main theme from The Island of Dr. Moreau, human interference upon nature. 5/5
Small advice: if you plan on reading it, read it after the Revelation trilogy (Revelation Space, Redemption Ark, Absolution Gap); it will make more sense and you'll enjoy it threefold.
April 29, 2022
Two novellas titled, well, Diamond Dogs and Turquoise Days.
Both take place in the Revelation Space universe. I loved Revelation Space and its sequels (and other related novels), so I suppose it was only a matter of time before I was going to get around to this book. The reason it took so long? I am usually not fond of novella length stories.
The big hitter here (for me) is Diamond Dogs. It is morbidly fascinating and quite grim (which is typically what I expect from the author, given the nature of the other books in this universe). It deals with an artifact (aptly titled Blood Spire) on a remote and inhospitable planet (aptly titled Golgotha) and the hapless group of adventurers who are intent on learning its secrets. This story has one foot firmly in horror territory.
The second story (Turquoise Days) deals (somewhat obliquely) with the Pattern Jugglers, which is interesting in itself, but it doesn't have the same heft if you will, as the first. Being an Alastair Reynolds story, it was never going to be bad by any means, but he tends to set the bar high.
There is a connection between the two stories (or at least, it is hinted at), but if you aren't paying attention you might miss it, so I suppose it's fair to say you can read both of these as "stand-alone" stories.
There are some (few) Easter Eggs here as well: references to pop culture and other novels, for those who want to unearth them. Wink wink: the titles of the stories for one thing.
I am giving Diamond Dogs 5 stars, but Turquoise Days gets 3. Still, it averages out at 4, which isn't too shabby.
Both take place in the Revelation Space universe. I loved Revelation Space and its sequels (and other related novels), so I suppose it was only a matter of time before I was going to get around to this book. The reason it took so long? I am usually not fond of novella length stories.
The big hitter here (for me) is Diamond Dogs. It is morbidly fascinating and quite grim (which is typically what I expect from the author, given the nature of the other books in this universe). It deals with an artifact (aptly titled Blood Spire) on a remote and inhospitable planet (aptly titled Golgotha) and the hapless group of adventurers who are intent on learning its secrets. This story has one foot firmly in horror territory.
The second story (Turquoise Days) deals (somewhat obliquely) with the Pattern Jugglers, which is interesting in itself, but it doesn't have the same heft if you will, as the first. Being an Alastair Reynolds story, it was never going to be bad by any means, but he tends to set the bar high.
There is a connection between the two stories (or at least, it is hinted at), but if you aren't paying attention you might miss it, so I suppose it's fair to say you can read both of these as "stand-alone" stories.
There are some (few) Easter Eggs here as well: references to pop culture and other novels, for those who want to unearth them. Wink wink: the titles of the stories for one thing.
I am giving Diamond Dogs 5 stars, but Turquoise Days gets 3. Still, it averages out at 4, which isn't too shabby.
August 7, 2013
This is Reynolds twist on The Dark Tower. Roland Childe assembles a katet team of mercenaries to investigate an alien Spire on a remote planet.
The story begins in Chasm City just before the Melding Plague hits and moves quickly to the Tower where ascending the levels of the spire involves solving increasingly difficult mathematically puzzles. Wrong answers are punishable by the unleashing of devastating traps that slice and dice until the right answer is entered.
As imaginative as the slice and dice mechanisms released are - the real story is about obsession and the depth one is willing to go to pursue that obsession. Reynolds employs his customary jaw dropping twist taking that extra step from the bizarre to the outright insane.
This works well as a short story, limiting time spent in setup to concentrate on the main event ie The Spire. Recommended to existing fans of the Revelation Space series.
4 stars
The story begins in Chasm City just before the Melding Plague hits and moves quickly to the Tower where ascending the levels of the spire involves solving increasingly difficult mathematically puzzles. Wrong answers are punishable by the unleashing of devastating traps that slice and dice until the right answer is entered.
As imaginative as the slice and dice mechanisms released are - the real story is about obsession and the depth one is willing to go to pursue that obsession. Reynolds employs his customary jaw dropping twist taking that extra step from the bizarre to the outright insane.
This works well as a short story, limiting time spent in setup to concentrate on the main event ie The Spire. Recommended to existing fans of the Revelation Space series.
4 stars
November 24, 2021
(The title introduces the titles of the two novellas; clearly the author is a fan of both David Bowie and Echo & The Bunnymen… so am I.) These novellas appear on both sides of the Chasm City novel. Both deal with alien things: a mysterious building, and organisms living in a sea with a special talent (the latter is mentioned in the former, and one character in it has benefited from their encounter with them).
(And yes, still: spoilers may include spoilers for other books for this ‘verse.)
--“Diamond Dogs”: in a remote star system, the planet Golgotha, where a mysterious, floating alien structure nicknamed the Blood Spire, keeps its secret in a deadly manner, Roland Childe has recruited his friend, and four others, to take the challenge to solve their way to the top of the building through increasingly difficult-to-solve puzzle rooms that can turn deadly… but are all the ways to secure a success worth it?
This is more from the body-horror end of the author's style, told by the friend Richard Swift, who seems to struggle in staying loyal to his friend and accepting all the ways he and the others need to to get further in the building (who does make it easier by .
It’s interesting that Swift and Childe meet at a place with a familiar connection to those who read the series in chronological order: at the monument for the
And Childe is not the only blast from the past: Swift former
The crucial character in this story is Dr Trintignant, who has changed himself , and whose past bad actions make the crew other than Childe nervous; but he is the reason they can stay alive and moving, trying to solve the secrets of the Spire. Still – is it all worth it? Is there anything worth it in the final place up there for the whole journey to be worth it, or would reaching it trigger an alarm in some alien device out there, that there is now some beings worth fighting against, or to laugh about? Or will the last of this group – Childe ? So much to think about...
--“Turquoise Days”: on a somewhat isolated planet Turquoise, with its Inuit-Thai human population, and Pattern Jugglers in its seas (who are able to preserve the memories of any human swimmer who joins their collective consciousness), Naqi Okpik has devoted her life to studying the latter, while remembering how her sister Mina was lost among them. Now an Ultra ship is approaching the planet, with its intentions possibly a threat to the living beings on the planet… but for what reason(s)?
I think this story partly comments on ocean study, and the threat humans cause to it (even on Earth now). It’s not
The description of the sea, and the welcoming feast at the spaceship’s arrival, is beautiful, but then there is the horror, too. The passengers of the ship have It is a sad yet hopeful story, making you think about the sea of our own world.
(And yes, still: spoilers may include spoilers for other books for this ‘verse.)
--“Diamond Dogs”: in a remote star system, the planet Golgotha, where a mysterious, floating alien structure nicknamed the Blood Spire, keeps its secret in a deadly manner, Roland Childe has recruited his friend, and four others, to take the challenge to solve their way to the top of the building through increasingly difficult-to-solve puzzle rooms that can turn deadly… but are all the ways to secure a success worth it?
This is more from the body-horror end of the author's style, told by the friend Richard Swift, who seems to struggle in staying loyal to his friend and accepting all the ways he and the others need to to get further in the building (who does make it easier by .
It’s interesting that Swift and Childe meet at a place with a familiar connection to those who read the series in chronological order: at the monument for the
And Childe is not the only blast from the past: Swift former
The crucial character in this story is Dr Trintignant, who has changed himself , and whose past bad actions make the crew other than Childe nervous; but he is the reason they can stay alive and moving, trying to solve the secrets of the Spire. Still – is it all worth it? Is there anything worth it in the final place up there for the whole journey to be worth it, or would reaching it trigger an alarm in some alien device out there, that there is now some beings worth fighting against, or to laugh about? Or will the last of this group – Childe ? So much to think about...
--“Turquoise Days”: on a somewhat isolated planet Turquoise, with its Inuit-Thai human population, and Pattern Jugglers in its seas (who are able to preserve the memories of any human swimmer who joins their collective consciousness), Naqi Okpik has devoted her life to studying the latter, while remembering how her sister Mina was lost among them. Now an Ultra ship is approaching the planet, with its intentions possibly a threat to the living beings on the planet… but for what reason(s)?
I think this story partly comments on ocean study, and the threat humans cause to it (even on Earth now). It’s not
The description of the sea, and the welcoming feast at the spaceship’s arrival, is beautiful, but then there is the horror, too. The passengers of the ship have It is a sad yet hopeful story, making you think about the sea of our own world.
October 9, 2014
"Diamond Dogs" is simply wonderful. It has everything I adore about sci-fi: transhumanism, cybernetics, ethics, other planets, alien mysteries. It now definitely is my fave Reynolds' creation. 5/5.
Turqouis Days, on the ither hand is a bit bleak and doesn't suck you in as Dogs do. It is not bad, but certainly not a peak inRevelation Space series. 3/5.
So, to sum up, it's 8/10, or 4 stars - "certified fresh", as they say on rotten tomatoes. :)
Turqouis Days, on the ither hand is a bit bleak and doesn't suck you in as Dogs do. It is not bad, but certainly not a peak inRevelation Space series. 3/5.
So, to sum up, it's 8/10, or 4 stars - "certified fresh", as they say on rotten tomatoes. :)
March 12, 2014
Reviewed these two shorts separately here
Diamond Dogs review
Turquoise Days review
Before you ask - Yes, I did that to bump up my Goodreads Challenge count - And no, I haven't marked the "date I finished this book" box in this edition to bump my count a third time :) - I can always come back for that later if I'm running short at the end of the year.
Diamond Dogs review
Turquoise Days review
Before you ask - Yes, I did that to bump up my Goodreads Challenge count - And no, I haven't marked the "date I finished this book" box in this edition to bump my count a third time :) - I can always come back for that later if I'm running short at the end of the year.
January 7, 2023
Diamond dog lo valuto 3 meno meno.
Turquoise days un buon 3,5. Questo racconto, inoltre, nel finale va a collegarsi al primo grazie ad una rivelazione che riesce finalmente a dare un senso a Diamond Dog.
Turquoise days un buon 3,5. Questo racconto, inoltre, nel finale va a collegarsi al primo grazie ad una rivelazione che riesce finalmente a dare un senso a Diamond Dog.
April 10, 2022
Dos novelas cortas de Alastair Reynolds, sin duda uno de los escritores de ciencia ficción actuales más interesantes. Es una pena que las editoriales españolas lleven años y años sin traducir ningún libro de este autor, salvo algún relato suelto.
Diamond Dogs. Roland Childe recluta a varios especialistas, unos por la recompensa, otros por la emoción, para una misión muy especial: explorar una extraña estructura en el planeta Golgotha. Todo apunta a que se trate de algo alienígena, lo que supondría algo extraordinario. Los compañeros de Childe son: Richard, antiguo amigo de Roland; Celestine, ex mujer de Richard, que fue sometida a experimentos por los Malabaristas, lo que convierte su mente en especialista en enigmas matemáticos; Hirz, especialista en infiltraciones; el doctor Trintignant, cuya mala fama con sus experimentos en injertos mecánicos vendrá de maravilla para el proyecto; y Forqueray, un ultra que provee de nave y trajes especiales. Lo que se encontrarán en el planeta va más allá del horror. Gadgets, acertijos, horror cósmico, lo convierten en una gran novela corta.
Turquoise Days. Dos hermanas viven en el planeta Turquesa, explorando los océanos en busca de los Malabaristas y sus extrañas habilidades. No está mal, pero no es de lo mejor del autor.
Diamond Dogs. Roland Childe recluta a varios especialistas, unos por la recompensa, otros por la emoción, para una misión muy especial: explorar una extraña estructura en el planeta Golgotha. Todo apunta a que se trate de algo alienígena, lo que supondría algo extraordinario. Los compañeros de Childe son: Richard, antiguo amigo de Roland; Celestine, ex mujer de Richard, que fue sometida a experimentos por los Malabaristas, lo que convierte su mente en especialista en enigmas matemáticos; Hirz, especialista en infiltraciones; el doctor Trintignant, cuya mala fama con sus experimentos en injertos mecánicos vendrá de maravilla para el proyecto; y Forqueray, un ultra que provee de nave y trajes especiales. Lo que se encontrarán en el planeta va más allá del horror. Gadgets, acertijos, horror cósmico, lo convierten en una gran novela corta.
Turquoise Days. Dos hermanas viven en el planeta Turquesa, explorando los océanos en busca de los Malabaristas y sus extrañas habilidades. No está mal, pero no es de lo mejor del autor.
November 24, 2021
I`m reading Beyond the Aquila Rift: The Best of Alastair Reynolds and, since I got to the part of "Diamond Dogs", i decided to read the book with "Turquoise Days".
I think it was the perfect choice. The two stories are harmonious and contrasting at the same time.
Considering i started reading Alastair Reynolds books after reading Claudia`s reviews, i`ll link her review here, since i can`t express better the impact of these stories: Claudia's Reviews > Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days
I think it was the perfect choice. The two stories are harmonious and contrasting at the same time.
Considering i started reading Alastair Reynolds books after reading Claudia`s reviews, i`ll link her review here, since i can`t express better the impact of these stories: Claudia's Reviews > Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days
February 8, 2016
Two tangentially connected novellas set in the Revelation Space series.
Diamond Dogs: 5/5
Horrific novella about ambition and obsession. Gripping from the first sentence to the last. The pacing was perfect.
Turquoise Days: 3/5
This one was okay, but nothing special. It was very drawn out for being so short. I think it needed to be either longer or shorter, if that makes sense. It did provide some more information about the Pattern Jugglers introduced in Revelation Space, so I appreciate it for that.
Diamond Dogs: 5/5
Horrific novella about ambition and obsession. Gripping from the first sentence to the last. The pacing was perfect.
Turquoise Days: 3/5
This one was okay, but nothing special. It was very drawn out for being so short. I think it needed to be either longer or shorter, if that makes sense. It did provide some more information about the Pattern Jugglers introduced in Revelation Space, so I appreciate it for that.
December 19, 2011
Recomanació de @odo !
November 30, 2022
Diamond Dogs: 7.5/10
Turquoise Days: 6/10
Turquoise Days: 6/10
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May 28, 2011
Child Rowland to the dark tower came,
His word was still 'Fie, foh, and fum
I smell the blood of a British man.
King Lear, Act 3, scene 4
Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days is a pair of novellas set in Alastair Reynolds' "Revelation Space" universe. I have lately began to believe that, in fact, the novella might be the perfect size in which to tell a science fiction story. If there were any doubt, Reynolds lays it to rest in the brilliant "Diamond Dogs.
Diamond Dogs is the story of a group of specialists put together by the enigmatic Roland Childe in order to solve the many puzzles of the "Blood Spire", a tower that appears to be sentient. Each room of the tower must be accessed by solving increasingly intricate mathematical puzzles. Solving the puzzle grants one access to the next room, failing to solve the puzzle leads to gruesome and painful consequences. The story is filled with oppressive atmosphere and edge of the seat worry.
Diamond dogs is one of the best science fiction stories I have read in some time. I am glad it was kept as the novella length which is, in my opinion, the best length for it. Dark and atmospheric, Diamond Dogs did not disappoint. I give it 5 stars.
Turquoise Days is the second novella in this book. I was not as taken with it as I was with its predecessor. Not that it is bad by any means.
Turquoise Days takes place on the planet Turquoise. This planet is a Pattern Juggler world which also contains a human colony. The Pattern Jugglers are being studied by the humans, which is the reason for the colony. For those not familiar with Reynolds's work, Pattern jugglers are sort of a marine hive mind type organism which acts as a kind of a giant hard drive, recording the consciousness of those who swim in the oceans where they exist. Often the Pattern Jugglers will impart some kind of (normally) temporary ability to the swimmer, often in mathematics. Upon occasion, a person will be assimilated by the Pattern Jugglers and will not return from their swim.
In Turquoise Days, the protagonist, Naqi, and her sister both take an unauthorized swim in the ocean; a swim from which the sister never returns. A few years later, Naqi is still working on research of the Pattern Jugglers when another group of scientists arrive on a starship. What the foreign scientists are up to is anyone's guess. There is in this story a hint at what may have been in the top room of the Blood Spire.
This story alternated between parts that were utterly fascinating and parts that bored the living crap out of me. The great parts made up for the boring parts to some degree, making this a worthy read. Not nearly the quality of Diamond Dogs but an average to above-average story. I give it 3 to 3.5 stars.
If I were to advise someone reading this for the first time I might advise them to read Turquoise Days fisr as it was, for me, so clearly outclassed by Diamond Dogs that I think I was unduly disappointed by it. This is a worth book and an easy 4 stars.
His word was still 'Fie, foh, and fum
I smell the blood of a British man.
King Lear, Act 3, scene 4
Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days is a pair of novellas set in Alastair Reynolds' "Revelation Space" universe. I have lately began to believe that, in fact, the novella might be the perfect size in which to tell a science fiction story. If there were any doubt, Reynolds lays it to rest in the brilliant "Diamond Dogs.
Diamond Dogs is the story of a group of specialists put together by the enigmatic Roland Childe in order to solve the many puzzles of the "Blood Spire", a tower that appears to be sentient. Each room of the tower must be accessed by solving increasingly intricate mathematical puzzles. Solving the puzzle grants one access to the next room, failing to solve the puzzle leads to gruesome and painful consequences. The story is filled with oppressive atmosphere and edge of the seat worry.
Diamond dogs is one of the best science fiction stories I have read in some time. I am glad it was kept as the novella length which is, in my opinion, the best length for it. Dark and atmospheric, Diamond Dogs did not disappoint. I give it 5 stars.
Turquoise Days is the second novella in this book. I was not as taken with it as I was with its predecessor. Not that it is bad by any means.
Turquoise Days takes place on the planet Turquoise. This planet is a Pattern Juggler world which also contains a human colony. The Pattern Jugglers are being studied by the humans, which is the reason for the colony. For those not familiar with Reynolds's work, Pattern jugglers are sort of a marine hive mind type organism which acts as a kind of a giant hard drive, recording the consciousness of those who swim in the oceans where they exist. Often the Pattern Jugglers will impart some kind of (normally) temporary ability to the swimmer, often in mathematics. Upon occasion, a person will be assimilated by the Pattern Jugglers and will not return from their swim.
In Turquoise Days, the protagonist, Naqi, and her sister both take an unauthorized swim in the ocean; a swim from which the sister never returns. A few years later, Naqi is still working on research of the Pattern Jugglers when another group of scientists arrive on a starship. What the foreign scientists are up to is anyone's guess. There is in this story a hint at what may have been in the top room of the Blood Spire.
This story alternated between parts that were utterly fascinating and parts that bored the living crap out of me. The great parts made up for the boring parts to some degree, making this a worthy read. Not nearly the quality of Diamond Dogs but an average to above-average story. I give it 3 to 3.5 stars.
If I were to advise someone reading this for the first time I might advise them to read Turquoise Days fisr as it was, for me, so clearly outclassed by Diamond Dogs that I think I was unduly disappointed by it. This is a worth book and an easy 4 stars.
September 16, 2021
This book contains two stand-alone novellas, both set in Alastair Reynolds’ Revelation Space universe, before and during parallel events of his Inhibitor sequence (Revelation Space through Inhibitor Phase). The two stories are also independent of each other, although there is one passing reference from Turquoise Days back to the prior Diamond Dogs. The stories appear in this book in the correct order.
Diamond Dogs (2001) - ***. The story opens in Chasm City, on the planet Yellowstone, where first person narrator Richard Swift is recruited by his one-time friend Roland Childe, to join a crew pursuing an unknown technological treasure first identified a century earlier by Roland’s deceased Uncle. They travel to the Blood Spire, which is a tower of rooms, each guarded by increasingly difficult mathematical puzzles. The vicinity of the tower is littered with bodies of an earlier expedition that failed to reach the top. The penalty for failing to select the correct answer is much, much, worse than just not passing upward. The story is a gorefest, innovative, but I’m not sure what the point is.
Turquoise Days (2002) - *****. The planet Turquoise is inhabited by the Pattern Jugglers, and the descendants of a human colony ship, who live in air-floating cities above the world ocean. Naqi Okpik and her sister Mina are flying their research dirigible above a Pattern Juggler node – an intense and complex vegetative raft on the world ocean. When the first incoming interstellar spacecraft in over a century is detected, the government of Turquoise shuts down electronic communication, leaving Naqi and Mina in isolation, and with a unique opportunity to study the node first-hand. I have just re-read Stanisław Lem’s 1961 Solaris, and so the comparison of Reynolds’ telepathic world ocean seems inevitable. It is not the same, the intelligence resides in the ocean, rather than being the ocean. The humans are invited to join in communion with the intelligence (and thus with all its earlier human and nonhuman visitors) by swimming in the ocean, rather than having their subconscious read involuntarily. And yet, its role as an unknowable and ineffable force that transcends human experience is there in both. The plot goes high-tension when the interstellar spacecraft arrives. This is a really great story, and the reader would not have to be familiar with the Revelation Space universe to appreciate it.
Diamond Dogs (2001) - ***. The story opens in Chasm City, on the planet Yellowstone, where first person narrator Richard Swift is recruited by his one-time friend Roland Childe, to join a crew pursuing an unknown technological treasure first identified a century earlier by Roland’s deceased Uncle. They travel to the Blood Spire, which is a tower of rooms, each guarded by increasingly difficult mathematical puzzles. The vicinity of the tower is littered with bodies of an earlier expedition that failed to reach the top. The penalty for failing to select the correct answer is much, much, worse than just not passing upward. The story is a gorefest, innovative, but I’m not sure what the point is.
Turquoise Days (2002) - *****. The planet Turquoise is inhabited by the Pattern Jugglers, and the descendants of a human colony ship, who live in air-floating cities above the world ocean. Naqi Okpik and her sister Mina are flying their research dirigible above a Pattern Juggler node – an intense and complex vegetative raft on the world ocean. When the first incoming interstellar spacecraft in over a century is detected, the government of Turquoise shuts down electronic communication, leaving Naqi and Mina in isolation, and with a unique opportunity to study the node first-hand. I have just re-read Stanisław Lem’s 1961 Solaris, and so the comparison of Reynolds’ telepathic world ocean seems inevitable. It is not the same, the intelligence resides in the ocean, rather than being the ocean. The humans are invited to join in communion with the intelligence (and thus with all its earlier human and nonhuman visitors) by swimming in the ocean, rather than having their subconscious read involuntarily. And yet, its role as an unknowable and ineffable force that transcends human experience is there in both. The plot goes high-tension when the interstellar spacecraft arrives. This is a really great story, and the reader would not have to be familiar with the Revelation Space universe to appreciate it.
December 12, 2016
EXTREMELY similar premise to Algis Budrys' 'Rogue Moon.' (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
As in that story, a mysterious extraterrestrial structure is discovered which seems to be designed to challenge all those who enter it - and failures are destroyed. As in the other story, exceptional contenders are recruited, and 'duplicate' bodies are considered as a possible method of solving the puzzle.
The main differences are that this story is not at all sexist, unlike Budrys', and that this piece focuses on telling a good story, rather than spouting off on random theories about 'manliness.' (Although, this one does indeed have something to say about what constitutes "hu-manliness.")
I have read that this is part of Reynolds' 'Revelation Space' writings, and it is clearly presented as a single incident in the life of a character who undoubtedly appears in other books.
As in that story, a mysterious extraterrestrial structure is discovered which seems to be designed to challenge all those who enter it - and failures are destroyed. As in the other story, exceptional contenders are recruited, and 'duplicate' bodies are considered as a possible method of solving the puzzle.
The main differences are that this story is not at all sexist, unlike Budrys', and that this piece focuses on telling a good story, rather than spouting off on random theories about 'manliness.' (Although, this one does indeed have something to say about what constitutes "hu-manliness.")
I have read that this is part of Reynolds' 'Revelation Space' writings, and it is clearly presented as a single incident in the life of a character who undoubtedly appears in other books.
December 14, 2019
"Diamond Dogs": A group of specialists attempts to ascend an alien structure that forces them to solve an increasingly abstract series of mathematical puzzles in order to proceed. Incorrect answers are costly in the extreme. This is a straight-up horror story that would make a great movie.
"Turquoise Days": Naqi is a researcher on the planet Turquoise, studying the Pattern Jugglers, mysterious, formless entities that populate the oceans and absorb the memories of those who swim in them. When unexpected strangers arrive, Naqi must decide which agenda to serve and at what cost.
The first story is visceral and disturbing; the second is more moving and introspective. Though they take place in Reynolds' Revelation Space "universe," everything you need to know is here, and it would make a good introduction for new readers who want a taste before tackling the big books.
"Turquoise Days": Naqi is a researcher on the planet Turquoise, studying the Pattern Jugglers, mysterious, formless entities that populate the oceans and absorb the memories of those who swim in them. When unexpected strangers arrive, Naqi must decide which agenda to serve and at what cost.
The first story is visceral and disturbing; the second is more moving and introspective. Though they take place in Reynolds' Revelation Space "universe," everything you need to know is here, and it would make a good introduction for new readers who want a taste before tackling the big books.
January 15, 2019
Reynolds knocks it out of the park with Diamond Dogs, a Big Dumb Object (BDO) story set in the Revelation Space universe. This object is not as dumb as it looks, and bloodthirsty to boot. The story reads like a dark psychological thriller and is a real page turner. 4.5 stars.
Turquoise Days, also set in the Revelation Space universe, gives a fascinating look at the enigmatic Pattern Juggler aliens who inhabit the oceans of several disparate worlds and function as a kind of organic network, storing the neural signatures of a vast array of sentient beings, both human and alien, across untold millennia. There is some action and excitement here, but mostly this is an introspective story, focused on the relationship between two sisters who live among and research the Jugglers. 4 stars.
Turquoise Days, also set in the Revelation Space universe, gives a fascinating look at the enigmatic Pattern Juggler aliens who inhabit the oceans of several disparate worlds and function as a kind of organic network, storing the neural signatures of a vast array of sentient beings, both human and alien, across untold millennia. There is some action and excitement here, but mostly this is an introspective story, focused on the relationship between two sisters who live among and research the Jugglers. 4 stars.
May 30, 2015
Diamond Dogs | 4 stars
Up until the last few pages I would have rated this novella set in the Revelation Space universe only 3 or at most 3.5 stars. It's essentially Indiana Jones in space, very reminiscent of the challenges Indy faces at the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Reynolds alludes to it with a very obvious Indy reference. It also ties in with Robert Browning's poem Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came. One of the characters is even named Roland Childe and he and his band of adventurers explore the mysteries of a deadly towerlike structure.
Most of the novella follows the characters' attempts to solve the mathematical riddles the spire throws at them. A wrong answer results in vicious gory punishments. It was fun to dive into this brutal scavenger hunt, but after a while it started to get somewhat repetitive and I was about to lose interest. That's exactly when the plot takes a turn and starts to hint at what it's really about, leading to a satisfying bleak ending.
I'll never forget Trintignant, a character I wish Reynolds had featured more prominently in a longer work.
Turquoise Days | 4.5 stars
I can imagine that many readers would find Turquoise Days boring compared to the excitement of Diamond Dogs. There's much less action, barely any gore, not much seems to be at stake, and nothing truly significant is happening for the better part of the novella.
Turquoise is one of the Pattern Jugglers planets, non-sentient marine beings capable of absorbing the memories, knowledge and even personalities of those who swim with them. They can imprint that information on others, an experience many seek despite the risks. The human colonists on Turquoise have devoted their lives to studying the Jugglers, and Reynolds explores how their daily routine and culture has adjusted to living on a world that is almost entirely covered by water swarming with an enigmatic life-form. When a space ship arrives, the fragile balance on Turqoise could be severely disturbed.
My review of Diamond Dogs shows that I'm not a big fan of action and gore, and I clearly preferred the rather placid tone of Turquoise Days. The Pattern Jugglers always fascinated me, and here I got more insight into how they 'work'. That doesn't mean there's nothing else happening at all, quite the contrary. It just takes a bit longer to build up, and I found myself thoroughly rewarded for my patience. The novella's conclusion is devastating and bittersweet at the same time, evoking a strong emotional response on my part. And that's what I love most about Reynolds's work.
Up until the last few pages I would have rated this novella set in the Revelation Space universe only 3 or at most 3.5 stars. It's essentially Indiana Jones in space, very reminiscent of the challenges Indy faces at the end of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Reynolds alludes to it with a very obvious Indy reference. It also ties in with Robert Browning's poem Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came. One of the characters is even named Roland Childe and he and his band of adventurers explore the mysteries of a deadly towerlike structure.
Most of the novella follows the characters' attempts to solve the mathematical riddles the spire throws at them. A wrong answer results in vicious gory punishments. It was fun to dive into this brutal scavenger hunt, but after a while it started to get somewhat repetitive and I was about to lose interest. That's exactly when the plot takes a turn and starts to hint at what it's really about, leading to a satisfying bleak ending.
I'll never forget Trintignant, a character I wish Reynolds had featured more prominently in a longer work.
Turquoise Days | 4.5 stars
I can imagine that many readers would find Turquoise Days boring compared to the excitement of Diamond Dogs. There's much less action, barely any gore, not much seems to be at stake, and nothing truly significant is happening for the better part of the novella.
Turquoise is one of the Pattern Jugglers planets, non-sentient marine beings capable of absorbing the memories, knowledge and even personalities of those who swim with them. They can imprint that information on others, an experience many seek despite the risks. The human colonists on Turquoise have devoted their lives to studying the Jugglers, and Reynolds explores how their daily routine and culture has adjusted to living on a world that is almost entirely covered by water swarming with an enigmatic life-form. When a space ship arrives, the fragile balance on Turqoise could be severely disturbed.
My review of Diamond Dogs shows that I'm not a big fan of action and gore, and I clearly preferred the rather placid tone of Turquoise Days. The Pattern Jugglers always fascinated me, and here I got more insight into how they 'work'. That doesn't mean there's nothing else happening at all, quite the contrary. It just takes a bit longer to build up, and I found myself thoroughly rewarded for my patience. The novella's conclusion is devastating and bittersweet at the same time, evoking a strong emotional response on my part. And that's what I love most about Reynolds's work.
Read
March 13, 2011A gigantic space opera: This is the book that places Reynolds on a similar level with Clarke and Baxter.
Having done a Physics major at university, I'm naturally drawn towards science fiction as opposed to fantasy books, and prefer the typical "hard" sci-fi to many other competitors in it's genre. Reynolds' advanced background in the field of astrophysics and his scientific logic allows him a superior element of control as to how things should behave, he attempts to rationlize and determine what is realistically plausible and what is simply pugwash. Granted, now and then Reynolds will "strut his stuff" and enlighten the readers on the aspects of neutron starts, neutrino decay and the suchlike, but at no point did I feel that this was unneccesary and he specifically went out of his way to show off his grasp on the subject.
One unique aspect of the book is that it is unlike most mainstream sci-fi authors, who tend to set their story in futuristic utopian or dystopian worlds. Reynolds' universe is very much like our own, with it's own power struggles and hidden agendas, and as such most of the things that occur is comprehendable and follows a progression of though within the confines of human logic.
I enjoyed every minute of his book, and look forward to reading more of his "Revelation Space" series.
Having done a Physics major at university, I'm naturally drawn towards science fiction as opposed to fantasy books, and prefer the typical "hard" sci-fi to many other competitors in it's genre. Reynolds' advanced background in the field of astrophysics and his scientific logic allows him a superior element of control as to how things should behave, he attempts to rationlize and determine what is realistically plausible and what is simply pugwash. Granted, now and then Reynolds will "strut his stuff" and enlighten the readers on the aspects of neutron starts, neutrino decay and the suchlike, but at no point did I feel that this was unneccesary and he specifically went out of his way to show off his grasp on the subject.
One unique aspect of the book is that it is unlike most mainstream sci-fi authors, who tend to set their story in futuristic utopian or dystopian worlds. Reynolds' universe is very much like our own, with it's own power struggles and hidden agendas, and as such most of the things that occur is comprehendable and follows a progression of though within the confines of human logic.
I enjoyed every minute of his book, and look forward to reading more of his "Revelation Space" series.
December 26, 2022
مجموعه داره تبدیل میشه به یکی از مجموعه های مورد علاقه ام. من با سبک نوشتن رینولدز قبل از این آشنا نبودم اما حالا با خودندن دو تا از کارهاش میتونم بگم بسیار جذابه. همیشه عنصر سروپریز رو داره، با اینکه از نظر علمیش شاید جز پیش قدم ها نباشه اما گستره وسیعی از عناصر شبه علمی رو استفاده میکنه و در بعضی مواقع خلاقیت های جالبی هم تو کارش دیده میشه. مشتاق خوندن بعدیم.
March 28, 2019
45th book for 2019.
Two short novellas set in Reynolds Revelation Space universe. The first, Diamond Dogs is a particular favorite of mine.
Reynolds manages to write in a sort of humorous (even hopeful) tone of horror. Recommended.
3-stars.
Two short novellas set in Reynolds Revelation Space universe. The first, Diamond Dogs is a particular favorite of mine.
Reynolds manages to write in a sort of humorous (even hopeful) tone of horror. Recommended.
3-stars.
September 29, 2012
Also collected in
Infinities: The Very Best of British SF Today
"A tale of blood and brainpower... offers nonstop thrills."
- Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
"Excellent." - Chronicle
"A startling and ambitious story that anyone who was drawn to the questions raised by Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? will enjoy. Once again, PS Publishing has brought us a tantalizing treat with another dazzler." - SF Site
Infinities: The Very Best of British SF Today"A tale of blood and brainpower... offers nonstop thrills."
- Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
"Excellent." - Chronicle
"A startling and ambitious story that anyone who was drawn to the questions raised by Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? will enjoy. Once again, PS Publishing has brought us a tantalizing treat with another dazzler." - SF Site
March 29, 2017
Diamond Dogs is a really effective novella, for my money. I reread it recently, but I remembered the key points from the first time I’d read it — a twisty story that got under my skin. There’s lots of little references and clues to point you to what the story is going to do, and there’s plenty of worldbuilding and detail to keep you wondering. It helps to know a little bit about the larger universe of Reynolds’ books, just for background… but it’s not necessary.
It’s creepy and psychological and well structured. It’s just one of those novellas which perfectly gets under the skin, scratches that itch, etc, etc. I won’t give away anything else…
Originally reviewed on my blog.
It’s creepy and psychological and well structured. It’s just one of those novellas which perfectly gets under the skin, scratches that itch, etc, etc. I won’t give away anything else…
Originally reviewed on my blog.
September 29, 2012
___________
Diamond Dogs 5/5 ___ Turquoise Days 4/5
July 27, 2016
Diamond Dogs
Bluntly, I found Diamond Dogs mostly dull and verbose, and mostly predictable. The characters were unsympathetic, except perhaps for Celestine. The last few pages were the best, even verging on poignant.
Bluntly, I found Diamond Dogs mostly dull and verbose, and mostly predictable. The characters were unsympathetic, except perhaps for Celestine. The last few pages were the best, even verging on poignant.
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