Book 3 of Destiny's Children is both a sequel & a prequel to books 1 & 2. Unlike the first book, this time around the separate timelines are more intrinsically interlinked. It's got probably the most sophisticated plot of the series so far, but it's probably the least compelling, it's still an interesting to see how everything resolves itself but Coalescent & Exultant appealed to me more. The ideas espoused are interesting but complex & I found my mind did tend to drift occasionally. The characters can be a little difficult to like at times. It's still very strong book that inspires thought it just isn't quite up to the level of it's forebears in my opinion though definitely worth a read.
What do You think about Transcendent (2006)?
First sentence: "The girl from the future told me that the sky is full of dying worlds." *Lets out a sigh of relief.I inadvertently skipped the second book in the thematic series and went for the third; coming off of Coalescent, I was nervous as to what Baxter would decide to go with for this one. And it immediately looked like it was more of the same methods we have come to know the author by. Sure it's not perfect, but it's good. With the cherry being the implementation of some canon material involving the most prominent family in the vast Xeelee Sequence; there was more of his great imagination contorted with extreme mystical physics. At times it felt like it dragged on, but what Baxter absolutely failed to properly execute in his first book was well established here: and that is the successful process of fleshing out characters to the best of his abilities, and then allowing his created environment to take over.I am happy my latest encounter with Baxter was a pleasant one, but I think I'll still go with my plans to take a hearty break from his material. Unfortunately, I think I've pieced together what makes a good Stephen Baxter novel; but what makes him incredible is a platform I have yet to scratch: his short stories.
—José Monico
[Minor spoilers ahead][return][return]Third book in the Destiny's Children trilogy, which overall I found disappointing compared to his earlier work (I loved the Manifold trilogy, and Evolution was pretty good too).[return][return]Transcendent is still a lot better than Coalescent and Exultant, though. I'd almost suggest skipping the first two, and going with the third. Although it contains elements drawn from the first two novels, they are in the background rather than being essential to the plot. [return][return]Familiar Baxter elements are present, such as the impact of global warming, the divergent evolution of humanity far in the future, future humans watching and/or interfering with present-day humans, hive minds, and a protagonist who references earlier heroes (he's Michael Poole, ancestor of the eponymous hero of the Xeelee sequence, and (like Malefant in Manifold), is haunted by memories of his dead wife). He's also related to the protagonists of Coalescent, though not much is made of this. The Friends of Wigner, from Exultant, are also mentioned in the background. [return][return]Overall it's a good enough book, worth a read, but not really one of Baxter's best.
—Simon Chamberlain
More 'anyhows' than a freshman term paper. 'Baling' for 'bailing'. 'Five percent proof'?!! Did an editor read this at all?If you can get past the bad editing and the dopey anthro-guilt global warming plot, it isn't altogether terrible. Reading 'the Warming' (capitalized so you know it's really bad and all mankind's fault^tm) as 'the Warmening' added some much-needed levity for me.Oh, and while certain hand-wringing busybodies might consider a refrigerator that verbally warns you not to drink a beer so early in the day their version of an orderly utopia, I'm going to have to consider that a hellish vision of the future on par with waste land motorcycle gangs.
—Erik Rühling
