Gollancz | 2018 (26 July) | 421p | Review copy | Buy the book

Imagine a galaxy of worlds many thousands of years from now, worlds populated by beings that were once human but have now evolved into a multitude of different kinds, whether feathered, glistening with changeable colours or merged with other animals into the most extraordinary beasts. There are also artificial intelligences, machines that have evolved to have great power and influence. And walking amongst them all are the Amaranthine, human beings who once lived in times not that far removed from our own but were given the gift of immortality, a blessing perhaps until the inevitable insanity finally ends their lives all the same. Some worlds are more familiar than most, especially the Old World, with its western island of Ingolland. Other worlds are as different as can be, including Drolgins with its Gulp, a deep blue hole within its sea from which nobody can escape. That’s if they survive the other monstrous surprises that swim its waters. And it’s there that The Tropic of Eternity begins.

The Tropic of Eternity is the third novel in the extraordinary, beautiful and original Amaranthine Spectrum series, which follows the conflict between descendents of mankind – the Lacaille and the Vulgar – as well as the struggle of the Amaranthine to emerge strong again, under a new emperor. First, though, there will be war. Others look for their future in the form of the young queen Arabis who, it is hoped, will unite together the Melius species on Old World. But Arabis, a babe in arms, has been stolen by a beast. Meanwhile, Aaron the Long-Life, the longest lived of them all, is after vengeance. Some have a more desperate fight for survival – Captain Maril, a Vulgar, and his crew, is marooned far from home and he’s caught up in something more dangerous than anyone can imagine.

Tom Toner writes so beautifully, there are moments, places and characters here that are described with such gorgeousness, as well as not a little horror, that the book bewitches. This is stunning prose, exquisitely realised people and places. We’ve met many of the characters before and so I think that you’d definitely benefit from having read The Promise of the Child and The Weight of the World first. Otherwise, I think you could become a little lost. There is a resonance in this book that reaches back to the beginning of the series – the story has grown, the fates are taking their shape.

The novel comprises so many stories on a multitude of worlds. There are threads that tie them all together but for much of the time we move between places, people, worlds and themes. I think that The Tropic of Eternity is the most complex and, for this reader, most difficult of the series, but its gorgeousness – as well as the moments of horror – more than compensates for the moments which left me wondering what in the heavens was going on! There is a very helpful glossary at the back which lists people, places, species and things. I referred to it repeatedly and it definitely added to the experience of reading. I was also grateful for the synopsis of the other two books at the beginning.

I’m in awe of Tom Toner’s genius in creating this extraordinarily rich, warm, frightening, loving and rewarding future universe. There is so much to wonder at, puzzle over, be scared of and enjoy. Everything is so intricately linked and, while at times, the larger picture may be difficult to grasp, its moments are glorious.

Other reviews
The Promise of the Child
The Weight of the World

I’m delighted to post my review as part of the Blog Tour to celebrate The Tropic of Eternity‘s publication. For other stops on the tour, please take a look at the poster below.