This story is placed with the author's Revelation Space Universe but, as a reader who hasn't read those, this is easily the best standalone story within an established universe that I've ever read.

Miquel lives inside a rock with a small band of humans hiding from the cybernetic entities referred to as "wolves" whose goal is to destroy any intelligent species with a certain level of technology.  He has spent the last thirty years shepherding what could very well be the last living humans in the universe.  He is not prepared to be forced to leave them by the blackmailing actions of a strange woman named Glass who appears at the colony.  She promises she'll leave the colony safe and unharmed but Miquel must come with her to help kill the wolves.  She doesn't explain why she needs him and although he'd be up for anything involving killing wolves, he can't imagine what use he'd be nor does he wish to leave his beloved wife and stepdaughter.  But with no choice left he leaves with a promise to return after he kills Glass.

So far the setup seemed pretty standard to this reader with some appropriate mysteries to tantalize such as the true past and identity of Miquel.  We're also tempted with tidbits about just what Glass is, really.  But don't be misled; this is a rocketing rollercoaster of a story.

Glass is on the trail of an alien weapon that just might be able to stop the wolves but the path from Miquel to the artifact is anything but simple.  Their first stop is a system that once hosted thousands of orbital human habitats but is now a hideous ruin.  Surprisingly, another small group of humans have survived in the ruins but their society is sick and twisted.  There are three factions: the dictatorial one that tortures and eats sentient human-pig hybrids, the pigs themselves, and a small human contingent that tries to save pigs where they can.  It is the latter that interests Glass; and the woman leader who can effect a trade for some needed technology from the Swine Queen.  Unfortunately for Miquel, he finds himself accompanying the sacrificial pig, Pinky, with a promise to keep Pinky alive and return him…with the technology.  It seems impossible to keep the Swine Queen from her long-awaited feast on the "pig that got away" but Miquel's principles won't let him give up.  Glass urgently needs the tech but, according to her, she needs Miquel equally; without having yet told him why.  Miquel is starting to get hints that he may have a history that is known to Glass but not himself; and Pinky may be the key to unlocking those memories. 

Glass' next stop is a planet that is home to a species called Pattern Jugglers.  The wolves don't bother Juggler planets but no one is sure why.  The Jugglers are one of the strangest aliens I've encountered in a story; they apparently absorb a being into their mass, delve around inside their psyches and reorder them.  They can blend beings, enhance characteristics or even endow new abilities. This sounds terrific on the surface but since there is no guarantee the Juggler will accept a supplicant - who may die in the attempt, or will give the supplicant what they desire - they may come out it as a totally different person; it isn't a decision one takes lightly.  But Miquel doesn't have the choice; Glass forces it on him.  She is certain that he is brother to a long-dead warrior (from earlier Revelation Space stories) who visited this particular Juggler.  Having been through the process once, she is hopeful that the Jugglers retained a sort of 'pattern' that Miquel may be able to access.  That brother who once promised to kill Miquel should he ever attempt to contact him again has the location of a planet where Glass hopes to find the alien weapon.  Miquel isn't yet convinced that he is actually Warren Clavain nor does he wish to recover those old memories but he is now convinced that Glass has a viable plan that may save humanity. 

Glass' last stop is the mysterious planet that may hold an alien wreck with something to stop the wolves.  Since the alien wreck is a result of an altercation with wolves; it is difficult to understand how it will help humans when it failed to save the aliens.  But there is little else to do; within a few more generations the wolves will eventually find all the hidden human enclaves and there will be nothing left of them.  Warren, Glass and Pinky have to give all they are if there is to be any chance of survival. 

This is a remarkably well-plotted story; complex and interesting.  Neither Miquel/Warren or Glass are simple characters; each is much more with a intertwined and strange history. The author intersperses small stories from Warren's memories of his previous life.  The characters are vivid without being overly described.  Motivations are clearly ascribed and draw in the reader.  It is not, however, the end.  While it can stand alone even while leaving an uncertain future; there is plenty of room for the author to continue.  Reynolds continues to provide wholly satisfying science fiction in a world with too much fantasy.   ~~ Catherine Book

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