Selling Out

I have just finished the first three Quantum Gravity books and I have pre-ordered the fourth. Justina Robson is a marvel. In 40 years of reading SF, very few authors have delighted me or kept me guessing about what was going to happen next as Robson. Robson hasn't so much blended SF and fantasy tropes as she's smashed them together in a supercollider. She has filled her story with myth, legend, deep metaphysical exploration, gestalt psychology, scientific speculation and sweet sexuality without slowing down the roller coaster ride.

SELLING OUT is a sequel to KEEPING IT REAL. It's probably best if you start with the first book. That tale was a bit more accessible and straight-forward. Lila Black, half-cyborg agent, is assigned to protect elf rock-star Zal from extremist elves who wish to kill him for doing un-elven activities. Adventure and kidnapping and death ensue. This book takes up about where that one ended. When the Quantum Bomb exploded in 2015 it opened the way to other dimensions, such as Alfheim of the Elves. Now Lila is sent by her agency to Demonia to find out how Zal, an elf, acquired his demonic nature (Zal only lies when the agency questions him). In Demonia Lila encounters excitement, pleasure and beauty--but also vendettas and assassination and death. Meanwhile, Zal finds himself in his own trouble and Lila's fellow agent Malachi is off investigating ghosts. The various plots and points of view are all interesting, although they dilute the pacing a bit. There's still plenty of action and drama, and more psychological depth than the last book. If you found the characters of the first book to your liking, you'll enjoy learning more about them as they adventure here. You'll see more of the dimensions and of Lila's organization. The culture of Demonia and the bizarre reality of elemental Zoomenon, the intricate politics and history of Alfheim and the ways fairies think--it's all well-developed, different and fascinating--not at all the typical magic-fairies-vampires urban fantasy. Personally, I'm hooked. I can't wait to read the next book!

Justina Robson's "Selling Out," the second in her Quantum Gravity series, sends human-cyborg special agent Lila Black back into action. This time her clueless leader, Cara Delaware, dispatches her on a mission to the land of Demonia where, as you might well suppose, Demons dwell, and where or so Delaware hopes, Lila will learn more about the origins of the half-elf, half-demon Zal, who Lila bodyguarded in the first book in the series, "Keeping it Real," which absolutely must be read first. Although Delaware has not prepared her well for the mission, Lila nevertheless manages to thwart an assassination attempt or two, acquires her very own imp, and continues to have the spirit of the elf Tath dwelling within her. Oh, and she reconnects with her sister Maxine. And where is Zal all this time? Off on a mission to save Lila, who, well, wait and see. Don't expect it to make much in the way of sense (I'll tip my hat to you if you can figure out what the business with the ship and the ghost-hunters is all about), because with every book she writes it becomes increasingly clear that Ms. Robson inhabits a universe all her own (which is far from a bad thing), but if you relax and enjoy the ride, you should have a grand time. And there's always Ms. Robson's sly prose to admire. Here, Zal samples a drink: "it seemed to be rum and Coke, and that was old enough as a cocktail to be a ghostly item. He breathed over the aromatic liquid and then hesitated, tired, euphoric, thirsty. "Can I drink this without turning into a ... thing? Or getting stuck here for eternity?" " `Probably not,' the Ereba said." Does that intrigue?

This product doesn't disappoint. It leave you hanging for the next book while answering most of the lingering questions from the first novel. It does an excellent job of raising new questions, yet it still helps with clues. It's a wild ride from start to finish that never slows down. The ending will leave you stunned with joy and suspicions about some of the companions. So grab a copy with your favorite snack and sit down for a day of the most mind blowing aura filling rock 'n roll from the next realm!

I loved "Selling Out". There's enough originality I'm sure no two readers would mentally picture scenes the same way. For most writers, that's poor prose. For Robson, it's like finger painting with primary colors. You "get" the richness of each environment, character, and action without slogging thru Tolkein-esque extended description. It zips along quickly for the first two-thirds. The final act feels a bit long, but there's a lot to tell. It's fun and compelling, the characters are engaging, and it is a definite palatte cleanser from and particular genre. Highly recommmended!