The Revolution Business

by Charles Stross

Book Overview

Things are going badly for the Clan in this new SF novel of the Merchant Princes, the immensely popular series by Charles Stross. Locked in a vicious civil war for control over the kingdom of Niejwein, their army is bottled up inside a fortress under siege in two parallel universes at once. Duke Angbard, the Clan's leader, has been laid low by a stroke: plotters are already conspiring in readiness for the deadly dance to come. Miriam, rescued from...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765316722
• ISBN13: 9780765316721
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

The others were better but I'd still say buy it

From my wife Sarah: I really enjoyed the previous books in the series, and almost didn't get this one because of the reviews. I see that Mr. Stross is writing the next book in this series. So because of that, if you liked the previous books in the series, I'd recommend this book (with one condition - see below) despite the fact that it has some problems. To tell you about this book, I need to first mention the previous ones in the series. They were great reads. The characters are well developed, the plot was really captivating, and the story lines moved forward in a way that really pulls the reader into this other reality. They were really entertaining, creative, surprising and interesting. Now about this new edition. All the sections about the New London world put me to sleep. I had to struggle through each one to get to something good. By the end of the book I had no idea why any of it was in there, especially in such detail. It didn't tie into anything! However I suspect it will be revealed in the next book. There were other sections that lulled me, but not as extreme as the New London story. Also, at times the diaglogue and story line were just difficult to follow. There were long conversations that I just didn't get. I had to really read and reread to try to figure out who some of the characters were, and/or what they were talking about. Some things I just never got. This book was really confusing (I'm a college grad with masters level courses, by the way). I did not find the previous books confusing. The left wing politics that several other reviewers have mentioned didn't bother me. I'm pretty conservative and sensitive to that stuff, but didn't find it to be overwhelming. Regardless of the issues with the book, I still enjoyed the story line that revolved around the main character. This book moved the series ahead, and I'm hoping that in the next edition the author goes back to the clarity and great story lines of the previous ones. I'd recommend this book with one condition: If the next book is as good as the others before this one, then this edition would be worth reading just to keep you up to date with the story. It may be smart to wait for the next release. Then see what the reviews look like on the next edition. If they're good, buy this book, and the next one. Or if you're committed to the series, then just buy this one and just read it for the good parts.

Ignore most of the reviews

You know - I almost didn't get this book based on the really negative reviews here. They were wrong. I felt the need to write this review only to tell you to ignore the reviews that seem to have an axe to grind, or want to show off their supposed erudition by finding fault that the book wasn't what they had imagined that they expected.. The book is a good solid book in the middle of a 6 book series. It's easy to read. It is not great and lasting literature - but what book (that is fun to read) really is these days? I found the progression of the book logical based on the premise that quantum universe shifts are possible. Yeah - character development could have been a bit stronger - but then again, I didn't care about it that much - I had more fun seeing what happened next. And you know - I find it perfectly rational to have a government black op to exploit and/or defend against a group that had placed nuclear weapons in our cities. Of course - I hate the cliff-hanger in this book.

Delightful way to burn 5 hours

I just finished devouring the fifth Merchant Princes book in one sitting, and I am impressed. As far as I am concerned, this is the strongest book in the series to date, with a lot of *major* development happening (and a cliff-hanger dwarfing the previous installment). I can see how some reviewers might take issue to not seeing their political views reflected; personally, I didn't feel like there was any actual side-taking (other than "feudal monarchies don't stand a chance against progress" which I hope isn't the message other reviewers object to ;), to me it looked more like a great take on a tie-in to main-stream press political memes (regardless of how you see them). Then again, don't take my word for it, on account of me being one of those pinko-liberal . The developments described in the book go far beyond where I had imagined the series to go, and, quite frankly, I can't wait for the next one. Note to the reviewer who felt that one meeting wasn't enough to sway a very conservative society - I didn't read the book that way at all, after all no swaying was accomplished given the interruption of that meeting. Also note that the audience was carefully selected and therefore most likely heavily biased. So - read it again, after all, it's *that* good.

end game is in sight for ambitious SF saga

Book 5 of Charles Stross' ambitious SF/fantasy cycle of 6 novels is out and the end game is in sight. This is a complex story involving a very likable and tough-minded female business journalist from our world and time and parallel worlds, quite unlike ours. The series have given one of my favorite writers a chance to explore economics, political systems and do so in the context of a rousing tale of good guys and bad guys. You really would not want to jump into this mid-stream, read them in sequence. A very rewarding read, particularly for those who enjoyed Stephenson's Baroque cycle.

An Intelligent Parallel-World Political Thriller

An intelligent parallel world political thriller which would have been more fun to read if it came closer to the date at which its action is set (middle of 2003), while its main villain was still in power. This book suffers from being published as a part of a multi-volume series. It's very much just a segment of a very large novel: it doesn't have it's own payoff or some sort of introduction to get the reader back up to speed. Supposedly, this series will end with the sixth volume, and I will have to reread the whole series in one sitting to get the proper impact. Still, Stross shines as always.