Review: "Singularity Sky" by Charles Stross (Ace, 2003)

Singularity Sky examines an interesting "what if": "What if a planet kept technologically backward by its rulers encountered a 'post-human' information-gathering entity that offered anything an interlocutor desired in exchange for information?" The result would be a singularity--an event so dramatic as to mark a sharp break from the past. Here, a society based in Russian-Eastern European models experiences such a singularity when the "Festival" arrives. With scarcity overcome, ready arms for the Bolshevik-like (?) revolutionaries, and even the limitations of evolution transcended, what happens is a disaster for the traditional order and many of its participants--at least until order is restored. The plot involves two secret agents sent to spy on this backward society--one sent by anti-proliferation forces based in the U.N., one serving the post-human Eschaton--a kind of superhuman intelligence emanating out of human information technology. The Eschaton (no relation to Atrios) threatens societies with destruction if they toy with the idea of time travel, presumably because then one of those societies could go back in time before the Eschaton came into existence and preclude its existence. So the question is whether the singularity experiencing society of the story will attempt time-travel (a causality violation) and thus bring destruction down on itself, or whether the Eschaton's agent can stop them. There are a number of subplots, some romance, and some satire, as well as some interesting fantasy sequences. This is a fast read, with lots of action. It certainly held my attention.

My major complaint: There was a lot of techspeak in this novel in the space battle scenes. I'm not sure all that was necessary. (Other readers might not find this so offputting. I mean, I'm a political science prof with a law degree, not an engineer.)

Minor complaints: (1) I'm also tired of superhero fighting moves by main characters. At least here, Rachel has tech implants that allow her to do the moves. (2) There are mimes in this book. Seriously (and here, seriously deadly). Could have done without the mimes.

Book's greatest strength: A fully developed future universe, including entities like the Eschaton.

The Eschaton's law (p. 132): "I am the Eschaton. I am not your god. I am descended from you, and I exist in your future. Thous shalt not violate causality within my historic light cone. Or else."

Final analysis: If you like the Ender novels, you'll like this.