Shadow of the Scorpion by Neal Asher (2009-04-14)
The Shadow of the Scorpion by Neal Asher
Published by Tor UK, April 2009; originally published by Night Shade Books (US), 2008.
305 pages
ISBN: 978-0230738591 (UK); 978-1597801393 (US)
Website: www.nealasher.com
Review by Mark Yon
Though this is Neals sixth Ian Cormac book, it is actually a prequel. As such, for those who have not read the blood-spattered events of the War between the human Polity and the crab-like Prador in earlier Asher books, but want an idea of Neals work, this is a pretty good place to start. For those already conversant with the Polity it is a surprisingly good tale that, despite its conciseness, is worth reading.
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Here super-agent Ian Cormac is 23 (though the book flashes back to his childhood regularly.) Recently signed up to Earth Central Security (ECS), Ian finds whilst visiting planets devastated by the Pradors annihilation, that childhood horrors still affect his judgment. Dealing with the Prador in a crashed spaceship, the situation is further complicated when a colleague is revealed as a Separatist traitor and captures a warhead to be used against the ECS. Here the events interestingly explain the background to some of the events later in his life and partly determine his future, as told in the other five Cormac books (Gridlinked, (2001), The Line of Polity (2003), Brass Man, (2005), Polity Agent (2006), and Line War (2008).)
The tale here, at nearly 300 pages, may seem brief, though like many of Neals books, it hits the ground running and then keeps going. In the past, such as when I reviewed Prador Moon, I felt that the brevity was a weakness. Here though, the plot manages not only to deal with relatively big issues such as love, loyalty, revenge and redemption within its conciseness, it still feels overall satisfyingly complete. Here Cormac is, surprisingly, more human than we see in later novels and yet the reasons for his future insouciance are realized. Its also the place where we first meet one of Cormacs later trademarks.
What also surprised me here was that I found this tale to be less excessive than some of Neals earlier work, which, although I reviewed and liked, at times for me strayed into overexcitement and visceral shenanigans. There is still some of that messy violence here. However, in Shadow, I felt that Neal engaged the emotions (though not too touchy-feely) and the action without going into gruesome overdrive. Though admittedly still a little overheated in places, Neals latest shows a talent that continues to ascend.
A pleasingly reliable book and a great place to start if youve not read any of Neals work before.
Mark Yon, April 2009
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