Brass Man (Ian Cormac, Book 3) [Paperback]

Neal Asher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2006

On the primitive world of Cull, a knight errant called Anderson is hunting a dragon, little knowing that far away someone else (now more technology than human flesh) has resurrected a brass killing machine called 'Mr Crane' to assist in a similar hunt encompassing star systems. When agent Cormac learns that this old enemy still lives, he sets out in pursuit aboard the attack ship Jack Ketch ...whilst scientist Mika begins discovering the horrifying truth about that ancient technology ostensibly produced by the alien Jain. Meanwhile, for the people of Cull, each day proves a struggle to survive on a planet roamed by ferocious insectile monsters, while they slowly construct the industrial base that may enable them to escape to their forefathers' starship - still orbiting far above them. But an entity with questionable motives, calling itself Dragon, assists them with genetic by-blows created out of humans and the hideous local monsters. And now the planet itself, for millennia geologically inactive, is increasingly suffering earthquakes ...'Compelling reading ...Asher has become a resounding and distinctive voice in British SF' - "SFRevu".

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A satisfyingly baroque plot and strong action sequences make up for a lack of character development and moral complexity in this gory space opera from British SF author Asher. Human beings have considerable freedom in Polity Space, a mostly civilized place, but enormously powerful AIs make all the important decisions. Three monstrous creatures threaten the Polity: Dragon, a gigantic being of unknown origin; Skellor, an evil, once human scientist transformed by the nanotechnology of the extinct Jain race; and Mr. Crane, the monstrous killing machine who does Skellor's bidding. Aided by several AIs, supercompetent Earth Central Security agent Ian Cormac must deal with all these dangers before civilization is plunged into chaos. Unbeknownst to him, however, several powerful AIs are plotting to gain Jain technology, even if it means the destruction of the human race. This violent, fast-moving novel is lots of fun, but makes no concessions to readers unfamiliar with Gridlinked and Line of Polity, the earlier books in the series. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Asher's latest foray into the Polity universe--a far-future world ruled by AIs and connected by runcible technology, which allows faster-than-light travel and communication--is a hunt for Dragon, an entity abandoned by a previous civilization. Ian Cormac wants Dragon to get to Skellor, a particularly nasty kind of killer. Skellor is looking for Dragon to answer questions about Jain technology, left behind by another, long-vanished civilization. Skellor has resurrected the mysterious Mr. Crane, who has been given the personality of a serial killer but has become schizophrenic to give himself a chance of regaining his own mind. Foremost at issue is the Jain technology, used by Skellor to take over ships and human minds alike. Some believe it can be put to positive ends; others, that it's far too dangerous. No one understands what it really does or precisely how it works. All paths cross on an out-of-the-way planet on which the fight over Jain technology will finally erupt. Asher's way with space opera makes this hunt across space a spectacular adventure. Regina Schroeder
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 568 pages
• Publisher: Trans-Atlantic Publications, Inc. (July 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330411594
• ISBN-13: 978-0330411592
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,982,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing sequel!, October 14, 2005

By 

Perry Rubenstein "PhatMaus" (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brass Man (Ian Cormac, Book 3) (Hardcover)

If you were stunned by "Gridlinked," and left awe-struck by "The Line of Polity," then I guarantee you won't be disappointed with "Brass Man." Picking up almost immediately after the end of Line, it continues the saga of ECS agent Ian Cormac, and weaves narratives for many characters introduced in the previous two novels - plus several fascinating new ones - into an extremely satisfying whole. Best of all, it brings back one of the most unique and enigmatic of all of Asher's creations - the flawed yet noble Golem Twenty-Five, Mr. Crane.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Neal Asher and the riddle of AI., March 4, 2006

By 

Jason Lowry (Davis, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brass Man (Ian Cormac, Book 3) (Hardcover)

This is the 3rd of the Polity series by Neal Asher. In this volume, Neal Asher delves deeper into the role of AI's in his universe. It quite enjoyabley follows the adventures of agent Cormac as he again must track down Skellor and the curse that is the Jain.

By the way, do not be discouraged by the lone seller here selling the title for way too much. You can buy the book from Amazon.co.uk for far less. Asher is a british author and quite a few of his books are difficult to find stateside. A quick electronic look across the pond will offer better results.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Again, May 24, 2006

By 

alistair w "AliWiseman" (Leiden Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brass Man (Ian Cormac, Book 3) (Hardcover)

This book is cracking. Just like the Skinner I thoroughly enjoyed it. Took 3 days to read and that was only because of work food and sleep breaks!

Dragon, and Ian Cormac are back... and this makes for some real fun. There's big, bigger, and biggest nasties roaming around, a good splattering (and i use that word with a chuckle) of violent death, a decent amount of sci fi, and a damn good story to boot.

The last book I read of his was Cowl and it didn't feel quite like Neal was enjoying himself writing it. This one is different. Mind... if i wrote stuff like this.. i'd enjoy it too.

One small note, if your a first time Asher buyer, i'd suggest picking up Line of Polity first. Its not absolutely needed, but it'd certainly give you a good grounding!