Timelike Diplomacy: Singularity Sky and Iron Sunrise

by Charles Stross

An exclusive two-in-one novel from the Science Fiction Book Club, set in Charles Stross' Eschaton Universe: Singularity Sky and Iron Sunrise. Singularity Sky: Spaceship engineer Martin Springfield and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0739445642
• ISBN13: 9780739445648
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: Science Fiction Book Club
• Length: 682 Pages
• Weight: 1.68 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Singularity Big Time

This is a double publication - SINGULARITY SKY & IRON SUNRISE. The pairing is not accidental - the stories could be considered Singularity Part I & II. The name, TIMELIKE DIPLOMACY, is a perfect description of the themes of both novels - namely the machinations of humanity when faster-than-light travel is developed (thus time travel) and the super-intelligent Eschaton (the name given to the Singularity) must battle those who would return to the past and take steps to prevent its emergence. (A conundrum though - if someone had returned to the past and prevented the emergence of the Singularity how could it be worried about someone going to the past to prevent the emergence.... someone could go crazy thinking of all the causal possibilities). We are introduced to Martin and Rachel, espionage operatives working for different bosses (Martin for the Eschaton, Rachel for the U.N.) and follow their travails in preventing the destruction of a civilization for attempting to violate the laws of causality. In the second book (IRON SKY) we are introduced to the teenager, Wednesday / Victoria and the newspaper writer, Frank and their fast-paced struggles both to escape those who would do them harm and learn who their pursuers are. Of course all four characters come together in the midst of a frantic action and the story has a good ending. I eagerly await yet another sequeal. Stross has opened to the reader the world on nanotechnology, smart matter, genetic modification beyond our wildest dream. Indeed, the everyday actions appear to us almost as magic, much as the technological wonders of our civilization would appear magical to someone from the early 20th century. Yielding to readers's pleas, Stross has penned ACCELERANDO, the story of the emergence of the Singularity in the near future. (It does not feature the same characters.)

Combined edition of _Singularity Sky_ and _Iron Sunrise_

According to a posting by Stross in the Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine forum, this is an combined edition of the two books mentioned in the subject line. That said, both books are excellent. _singularity Sky_, in particular, is one of the better science fiction novels of the past few years, combining hard science, Vinge-style speculation, and a strong prose style.