Blood of the Cosmos

June 15, 2015

Humanity and their allies, the Ildirans, narrowly escaped destruction at the hands of the Shana Rei in The Dark Between the Stars. They can no longer depend on the ancients known as the Gardeners and a new weapon may lead to their extinction in this latest volume of Anderson's galaxy-spanning space opera.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 1, 2015
In volume two of the Saga of Shadows trilogya continuation of the popular Saga of Seven Suns serieshumans and Ildirans are still reeling from their close call with the Shana Rei, a superpowerful alien race determined to wipe out everyone else. An attempt is made to strike at the heart of the Shana Rei, but it fails miserably, and humans and Ildirans are once again backed into a corner, their hopes for survival dimmer than ever. This is space opera at its most operatic: a galaxy-size stage full of colorful characters, spectacular action, carefully rendered alien races and cultures, andat the center of it alla gripping story that's sure to keep SF fans riveted until the very end. And not just one gripping story, either: woven through the main story are several smaller ones, interlocking and building off one another, making the book a sort of literary tapestry. Anyone who missed the outstanding first volume in the trilogy, The Dark between the Stars (2014), will need to get up to speed quickly. Recommend this superb book (and series) to readers of Alastair Reynolds, Stephen Baxter, Peter F. Hamilton, and Iain M. Banks.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)