Slow Bullets by Alastair Reynolds

Alastair Reynolds’s novella, Slow Bullets, packs a big punch in a small package. Set against the backdrop of a vast interstellar war winding down, the story follows Scur, a hardened soldier left for dead with a mysterious implant. Fueled by revenge and survival instincts, Scur finds herself on a wrecked convict ship filled with dangerous passengers.

Fast-paced Plot: The story wastes no time, throwing you into the action from the first page. Expect twists, turns, and plenty of thrills.
Intriguing Premise: The slow bullet technology and the convicts’ situation raise interesting questions about war, justice, and redemption.
Unreliable Narrator: Scur’s clouded memories add another layer of mystery, keeping you guessing about the truth.

Things that could be better:

• Character Depth: While Scur is a compelling protagonist, the characters are sketched more than fully developed, which may be due to the novella format.
• Open Ending: The conclusion leaves some aspects unresolved, which might leave some readers wanting more.

Overall Slow Bullets is a thought-provoking and action-packed novella that will appeal to fans of Alastair Reynolds and sci-fi thrillers in general. It’s a great choice for a quick read that will leave you pondering its themes long after you finish the last page.

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