The Voyage of the Sable Keech (Spatterjay, Book 2) [Paperback]

Neal Asher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2006

Sable Keech is a walking dead man, and the only one to have been resurrected by nanochanger. Did he succeed because he was infected by the Spatterjay virus, or because he came late to resurrection in a tank of seawater? Tracing the man's last-known seaborne journey, Taylor Bloc wants to know the truth. He also wants so much else - adulation, power, control - and will go to any lengths to achieve them. An ancient hive mind, almost incomprehensible to the human race, has sent an agent to this uncertain world. Does it simply want to obtain the poison 'sprine' that is crucial to immortality - and, if so, maybe Janer must find it and stop it. Meanwhile, still faced with the ennui of immortality, Erlin has her solitude rudely interrupted by a very angry whelkus titanicus, and begins the strangest of journeys. Deep in the ocean the Spatterjay virus has wrought a terrible change that will affect them all. Something dormant for ten years is breaking free, and once again the aftershocks of an ancient war will focus on this watery world. And Sniper, for ten years the Warden of Spatterjay, finally takes delivery of his new drone shell. It's much better than his old one: powerful engines, more lethal weapons, thicker armour. He's going to need them.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Essex-born author Neal Asher was writing short science fiction for many years before he embarked on his first full-length novel Gridlinked , followed by four others which have been translated into nine different languages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 584 pages
• Publisher: Trans-Atlantic Publications, Inc. (July 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330411608
• ISBN-13: 978-0330411608
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #682,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Asher, but below Polity Par, March 10, 2007

By 

Jack Vance "Serenity" - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Voyage of the Sable Keech (Spatterjay, Book 2) (Paperback)

Neal Asher has recently entered my own personal sci-fi hall of fame. His writing skills are superb and his novels are invariably entertaining. This novel slightly disappointed me, it not being on the same scale as Line of Polity or Brass Man (or its predecessor, Skinner, for that matter). There were too many subplots; and the major plot was not given enough emphasis to standout, and I was left behind, trying to pick up pieces and put them together. All in all, I was left with the impression of hurry.

I have to say though, his characters are thoroughly enjoyable and very real, and I never pass up a chance to read his novels.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 100-word book review, April 18, 2006

By 

A. J. Cull (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Voyage of the Sable Keech (Spatterjay, Book 2) (Hardcover)

If you enjoyed The Skinner, you will love this latest excursion to the insanely dangerous waterworld of Spatterjay. I really had a good time with this book! It has all the elements I like about Asher's Polity stories, including his sheer creative exuberance. Viruses, hive minds, voracious monsters, exotic weapons, giant whelks, this has it all! Complexly plotted, fast-moving, bursting with action, swarming with extremely nasty alien life forms and featuring some ace futuristic military tech, this is a novel which will immensely please Asher's existing fans and will get him plenty of new fans too. Acquire this book now!

5.0 out of 5 stars another feast of aliens & immortality, May 11, 2011

By 

alienjunky - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Voyage of the Sable Keech. Neal Asher (Spatterjay 2) (Paperback)

I love Mr. Asher's world of Spatterjay and his unfettered sense of adventure. The mix of cultures and species does not get old or redundant in this continuation of the world of undie-ing sailors, and in fact continues to expand into an almost cinematic experience. I love this book.