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Absolution Gap (The Inhibitors series book 3) by Alastair Reynolds
01/04/2004 . Source: Sue Davies 
pub: Gollancz. 565 page hardback. Price: £12.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-575-07434-5. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk
The story continues...at the end of 'Redemption Ark', the refugees from Resurgam made temporary landfall on a place they called Ararat. The short-term stop is starting to feel like home, after all it has been twenty years since they took refuge there.
Babies are being born and people die. Clavain has retired to be alone on an island. His daughter, Felka, has disappeared into the ocean and been absorbed by the Pattern Jugglers, a form of intelligence that exists there. He thinks he might join her one day soon.
There is to be no peace for him, though. Scorpio, the genetically enhanced pig, nominally in charge of the disparate group comes for Clavain's help. A capsule has been found and it must have come through the planet's atmosphere undetected. Inside, they find Anna Khouri. She is seeking her baby untimely ripped from the womb by the rogue Conjoiner Skade. This baby is particularly special as she will be a weapon in the war against the Inhibitors.
Over their heads, it seems there is a fierce battle being fought and the wolves are circling... In another time and place, a man called Quaiche takes a trip to a planet called Hela. Under extreme duress, he is nevertheless amazed and delighted to find an ancient artefact that he thinks will please his rather perverse and demanding boss, the Ultra Queen Jasmina. He is witness to what he perceives as a miracle and a religion is born.
A hundred years later and mobile cathedrals are constantly moving across the surface of Hela following the Way. With eyes constantly focused on the moon above Hela, the faithful wait. Quaiche believes it shows the mind of God and the faithful believe, too, with a little help from the indoctrinal virus they all share from his blood.
The faith is about to be challenged by a young girl called Rashmika. She is from the outlying town of where the ordinary people merely dig for artefacts and do not have to believe much at all. The stories are told back to back with an increasing sense of urgency. Due to the vagaries of space travel, they are some years apart as the refugees are being drawn to Hela and the conclusion of the tale. It moves along with a rattling pace but there is not much chance to feel a great deal for the participants of this great drama. It is essentially an action and philosophising tale with the human and pig participants swept along by it all. Notable characters that transcend their allotted role are Scorpio and the Captain of the Nostalgia For Infinity.
Scorpio is an observer, his pig status makes him stand apart from the history he is helping create. His sadness and poignant reflections are one of the interesting developments in this book. The Captain absorbed into the ship and constantly recreating it makes a bigger contribution in this book. He has the chance to reflect on the past and help influence the present. It is these two characters that make the whole drama worthwhile.
The rest seem to not be allowed beyond their allotted role. There are interesting cameos from walk on character such as the Quaestor. There is also the insidious Grelier who deals in the 'bloodworks', keeping the church strong by spreading the indoctrinal virus. I wanted more but with a book so packed full of story already coming in at 565 large pages it will take another book to flesh out the characters as well.
Once again, Reynolds has worked his magic to produce a grand tale. It is worth reading in great chunks as this provides much needed continuity. In other words, it's a lot to hold in your head all at once. Reynolds must have a big head. I had great trouble putting this down as I really wanted to get to the end. It's quite a long read and I'm such an impatient reader. Yes, there were times I wanted more and was frustrated by the Rashmika character. Certain characters are sidelined and others come more to the fore.
The science is beyond me so he can basically say anything and my third year physics will believe it. There are some marvellous spectacles that would make it a cinematic triumph, in these days of perfectly executable special effects. I cannot really mention what they are as I wouldn't want to spoil any surprises.
There are also implanted jokes, one of which I've only just got and I'm not sure it was deliberate. There is even a reference to 'shock and awe', a telling nod at the events of 2003 perhaps or maybe just a Freudian slip. Reynolds manages to incorporate the fall of civilisations, machine enhanced intelligence, apocalyptic vision and the rise of religion on the brink of destruction.
It looks at the motivation of man, pigs and the nature of intelligence. Phew! Not bad for a Science Fiction novel, folks, huh?
Sue Davies 
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