Beyond the Hallowed Sky

Beyond the Hallowed Sky cover
Good Books rating 3.33

Technical:
  • ID: 541
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9781645060772
  • Publisher: Pyr
  • Published: 2023-03-21
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3
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Mathematician Lakshmi Nayak receives a letter from her future self containing equations that prove faster-than-light travel is possible, but her discovery is met with fierce opposition and danger from a shadowy Alliance. After defecting to the Union, she joins forces with shipbuilder John Grant, who reveals a secret star-travel project called Black Horizon, and biologist Emma Hazeldene, who studies alien life on the distant world Apis. /n/nAs the story unfolds, the political landscape is shaped by three major powers—the Alliance, the Union, and the Co-ordinated States—locked in a tense Cold War-like standoff. The awakening of an alien crystal intelligence on Apis triggers dire consequences, forcing all involved to confront new threats and shifting alliances. Ken MacLeod’s space opera trilogy opener explores themes of discovery, political division, ecological catastrophe, and the profound impact of unlocking faster-than-light travel on humanity and beyond.

Reviews
Strange Horizons · 2022-05-09
intriguing 3.50

The novel's ambiguity about the protagonist's complaints adds depth, leaving readers to interpret whether they are noble or self-indulgent. The narrative's complexity is both its strength and a potential drawback.

The reviewer finds the novel's ambiguity intriguing, as it leaves room for multiple interpretations of the protagonist's motivations. The blend of intellectual dissidence and potential navel-gazing creates a rich tapestry that invites deep reflection. However, this ambiguity might also be seen as a weakness, depending on the reader's perspective. The reviewer appreciates the layers of meaning but acknowledges that some readers might find it challenging to fully engage with the story.


Quick quotes

    The novel is ambiguous as to whether his complaints are to be read as noble intellectual dissidence, privileged navel-gazing, or both.

    It plays with the boundaries of science fiction and political commentary.

    The narrative's complexity is both its strength and a potential drawback.

The Scotsman · 2021-12-01
thrilling 4.00

The book is a geopolitical-metaphysical-thriller that offers a rollicking good read. It combines elements of science fiction and political intrigue seamlessly.

The reviewer describes the book as a thrilling blend of geopolitical and metaphysical themes, making it a compelling read. The combination of science fiction and political intrigue creates a unique and engaging narrative. The reviewer praises the book's ability to keep readers hooked with its fast-paced and thought-provoking storyline. This makes it a standout in the genre, appealing to fans of both science fiction and political thrillers.


Quick quotes

    MacLeod's new book might well be a geopolitical-metaphysical-thriller.

    For those still sceptical, it is a rollicking good read with elements of science fiction and political intrigue.

    The combination of science fiction and political intrigue creates a unique and engaging narrative.

Sifa Elizabeth Reads · Sifa Elizabeth · 2021-11-26
disappointing 2.50

The premise is fascinating, but the style and structure did not resonate with the reviewer. The execution falls short of the promising concept.

Sifa Elizabeth is captivated by the book's premise, which she finds super interesting. However, she struggles with the style and structure, which she feels do not do justice to the compelling idea. The reviewer wishes the execution had matched the potential, as the current form makes it difficult to fully enjoy the story. Despite the disappointment, she acknowledges the unique concepts that make the book worth considering.


Quick quotes

    BEYOND THE HALLOWED SKY is a book where the premise is super interesting, but the style and structure of the book simply didn't work for me.

    The execution falls short of the promising concept.

    I wish the execution had matched the potential.