Elysium Fire is a 2018 hard science fiction novel by Welsh author Alastair Reynolds. It is a direct sequel to Aurora Rising, taking place in the Revelation Space universe. Reynolds has stated that the novel requires no previous knowledge of Aurora Rising, functioning as a standalone work.[2]

Elysium Fire
AuthorAlastair Reynolds
LanguageEnglish
SeriesRevelation Space
GenreScience fiction
PublisherGollancz
Publication date
25 Jan 2018[1]
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Media typePrint (hardcover and paperback)
Pages416
ISBN978-0-575-09062-0
OCLC4483302867
823/.914
LC ClassPR6068.E95 2018
Preceded byAurora Rising 
Followed byMachine Vendetta 

Aurora Rising, Elysium Fire, and Machine Vendetta comprise the Prefect Dreyfus Emergencies series.

Synopsis

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Elysium Fire begins two years after the events of Aurora Rising. Senior Prefect Tom Dreyfus and Field Prefect Thalia Ng are investigating a series of strange deaths. Random, unconnected citizens in the Glitter Band are "melting"—the neural implants in their heads rapidly overheating and frying their brains. The meltings begin to occur at an increasing rate, and the Prefects have no idea where to start the investigation. As the meltings are happening, several habitats in the Glitter Band, unhappy with the decisions made by Panoply at the end of Aurora Rising, begin seceding from the Glitter Band and thus no longer fall under the authority of Panoply. Leading the movement to secede is the mysterious Julius Devon Garlin Voi, who seems to have inside knowledge of what has been happening.[3]

Reception

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Eric Brown of The Guardian praises Reynolds's world building for the novel, and his ability to populate the far-future technological societies with well rounded characters.[4] Publishers Weekly says "the big concepts and complex story effectively pull readers into intriguing speculation about human identity and potential."[5]

References

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  1. ^ https://www.gollancz.co.uk/2018/01/happy-publication-day-alastair-reynolds-elysium-fire/ [dead link]
  2. ^ Reynolds, Alastair (25 July 2017). "Elysium Fire and a new title for The Prefect". Approaching Pavonis. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  3. ^ Yon, Mark (20 January 2018). "Elysium Fire by Alastair Reynolds". SFFWorld. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  4. ^ Brown, Eric (9 February 2018). "The best recent science fiction – reviews roundup". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Elysium Fire". Publishers Weekly. 1 January 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.