I have been in sci-fi for a long time since I learned how to read. Though "Terminal world" by Alastair Reynolds is something different. Reynolds is famous for his high sci-fi and cosmo-operas with several planets, space travel, etc. But here we have all events that happened on a surface of a single world. And it is quite a strange world. It's divided into a carnival of different "zones" with different technical levels: from the one with horse power (literally) up to high-tech, with all kinds of steam-powered ones. Actually, most events will happen surrounded by steam power and zeppelins. It sounds further from sci-fi and closer to steampunk. It may even seem that "Terminal world" is closer to steampunk than any other steampunk book. I guess only a sci-fi master can write true steampunk.

And in a strange, bizarre way, this book reminds me "Lord of light" by Roger Zelazny and the "Might and magic" series. Not in the "magical" sense (we are talking about sci-fi), but because of the place. Spoiler- >!all events appear to be not in the strange fantasy world but are actually a part of pure sci-fi: they happened on an ordinary planet but with people living in the fallen civilization's legacy!<. Of course - the place of the "Terminal world" is the greatest mystery of the book. But actually (as master of sci-fi), Reynolds leaves pretty straightforward clues throughout the text. Despite being hidden under the hero's understanding of the world and spirit of the time, they become quite obvious by the end of the book. A bit of a spoiler>!, but Alastair is very educated about space, planets, and moons. He throughs the clues right into the face: two moons, the Night Maze (hello also Warhammer fans), sol year twice long, disappearing atmosphere - that all points to the place very specifically, with Red flags, let's say. =)!<

While reading, you take a feeling of a road trip, having a journey together with the main hero forced by the surrounding and events. It really works that way - you feel the hero by his own words, that he is not the main person in the story. And it becomes really enjoyable after accepting that fact - and becoming a witness. The more you read, the more you study the world, built quite complexly, with a full sense of history, and with completeness despite the patchwork world. This feeling of discovery within the odd surrounding - will describe the taste of the book in the best way.