Neptune's Brood

Charles Stross

Book 2 in the series:Freyaverse

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In "Neptune's Brood" by Charles Stross, readers are taken on a journey through a world of more human than human computerized people, exploring the impact of interstellar movement on time, family, and business. The story delves into a complex narrative of intrigue, loyalties, and betrayal, all set in a universe where posthumanity has colonized many worlds at sublight speeds, financing their expansion through a unique blockchain lending and debt system. The protagonist, Krina Alizond, a clone daughter of a prominent financier, embarks on a quest to uncover a dangerous secret, facing financial scams, religious zealots, pirates, and law enforcement along the way.

Stross skillfully weaves together multiple plot threads, addressing themes of financial fraud, interstellar space travel, body modification, and deep-sea diving. The narrative is punctuated with moments of wry humor and unexpected twists, creating a captivating space opera that challenges readers to contemplate the complexities of running a currency across vast distances when limited to slower-than-light travel.

Characters:

Characters are multifaceted, involving a blend of humans, clones, and post-human entities, with Krina representing both intellect and naivete.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is intricate and blends humor with detailed financial exposition, making it both engaging and occasionally challenging.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on interstellar banking and a thrilling pursuit of a financial mystery involving familial intrigue.

Setting:

The setting features a deeply imagined future where humanity has become extinct and robots dominate society.

Pacing:

The pacing is mixed, with a generally fast tempo occasionally hindered by lengthy explanations on economics.

“I can get you a cheaper ticket if you let me amputate your legs: I can even take your thighs as a deposit,” said the travel agent. He was clearly trying hard to be helpful: “It’s not as if you’ll nee...

Notes:

Neptune's Brood is set in a post-human future but is not a direct sequel to Saturn's Children, so readers can enjoy it independently.

The plot revolves around interstellar banking and financial schemes, making it unique for a science fiction novel.

The main character, Krina Alizond 114, is a bank historian searching for her sister and unraveling a huge banking fraud.

The concept of 'slow money' is central to the story, contrasting with 'fast money' and 'medium money' used in everyday transactions.

In this future, identity is stored in a 'soul chip' which allows individuals to transfer their consciousness to new bodies.

Robots and androids have taken over from humans, and they have their own distinct cultures and societies.

The narrative explores themes of debt and financial manipulation, comparing interstellar expansion to a Ponzi scheme.

Stross uses humor and satire to critique economic systems and societal structures through the lens of science fiction.

Several characters, including space pirates, are involved in various financial scams intertwined with the plot's intrigue.

The world-building includes fascinating elements such as underwater societies and unique humanoid modifications, like mermaids and modified squids.

From The Publisher:

The year is AD 7000. The human species is nearly extinct-for the fourth time-due to its fragile nature.

Krina Alizond-114 is metahuman, descended from the robots that once served humanity. She's on a journey to the water world of Shin-Tethys to find her sister Ana. But her trip is interrupted when pirates capture her ship. Their leader, the enigmatic Count Rudi, believes that there's more to Krina's search than meets the eye.

He's correct: Krina and Ana each possess half of the fabled Atlantis Carnet, a lost financial instrument of unbelievable value-capable of bringing down entire civilizations. Krina doesn't know that Count Rudi suspects her motives, so she accepts his offer to get her to Shin-Tethys in exchange for an introduction to Ana.

And what neither of them suspects is that a ruthless body-double assassin has stalked Krina across the galaxy, ready to take the carnet once it is whole-and leave no witnesses alive to tell the tale…

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About the Author:

Charles Stross was born in Leeds, England, in 1964. He has worked as a pharmacist, software engineer and freelance journalist, but now writes full-time. To date, Stross has won three Hugo Awards and been nominated twelve times. He has also…

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