Will's Thoughtstream

I've been reading several of Neal Asher's Polity books. I've found that Neal Asher has an incredible ability to imagine and construct entire alien ecosystems that are far outside the bounds of what most writers tackle.

The first book, Gridlinked, is more or less standard Sci-Fi space society fare, but still quite enjoyable. Amazon's editorial review says: "Gridlinked is a science fiction adventure in the classic, fast-paced, action-packed tradition of Harry Harrison and Poul Anderson, with a dash of cyberpunk and a splash of Ian Fleming added to spice the mix. Cormac is a legendary Earth Central Security agent, the James Bond of a wealthy future where "runcibles" (matter transmitters controlled by AIs) allow interstellar travel in an eye blink throughout the settled worlds of the Polity."

But I think Neal Asher really takes off with The Skinner. David Richman writes on Amazon: "As a biologist who likes a good tale of strange planets and creatures, I was quite pleased to find this riveting tale. The book has something for every sci fi fan- a strange world with oceans full of weird predators (not totally unlike our own, but perhaps a bit more dangerous!), alien minds controlling or communicating with humans and machines, galactic conspiracies, viruses that cause infected organisms to be more resistant to injury, a cast of characters with their own secrets, and nearly indestructible sea captains who are the survivors from a human slave industry based on a war between quite different galactic civilizations."

And in Cowl, Asher does for time travel what he did for biology and for space society in the previous two books.

All in all, Neal Asher provides an imaginative treat in every book, wrapped up in a good story.