Review: The Algebraist

The Algebraist by Iain M. Banks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's an interesting world, similar but apart from the Culture series... seems to be a precursor, given what looks like a lower level of tech and more organic agency prevalent in this universe.
That said, there's some core issues - it rambles. Sentences run on and on, sometimes for a full page or more, and you have to jump back to see how they started. Plot arcs appear and fade out with no explanation. Start and end abruptly, no closure, no buildup, apart from, the one core story. Characters are awesome... but wasted.
All in all, an interesting read, but no great loss in your life if you never get around to it.

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