This book is a wonderful continuation in this series and didn't fall prey to the usual middle book pitfalls that plague so many follow-ups. The intrigue is ramped up as the Architects begin to get a little bolder in their probing of vulnerable worlds. For those who don't know, the Architects are moon-sized entities that have destroyed entire civilizations in the past brutally and without mercy. It's almost a sick and twisted game to them as they obliterate and then go into hiding for a time, only to emerge decades later randomly to repeat the process. So getting to feel that tension of a potential attack made this read a lot more dramatic than the first book, Shards of Earth. Would it happen? Would it not? And if it did, how would those aligned against the Architects respond?

Another thing that I love about Tchaikovsky's books, and this one is no different, is that he always injects a central mystery into his stories that make you want to keep turning those pages to discover if that mystery ever gets revealed. And the awesome thing about this series is he gives you TWO mysteries for the price of one. The first being the Originators, an elder civilization that has since disappeared but has left mysterious ruins and artifacts scattered across the universe in their wake. The thought is that some Originators may possibly still exist somewhere, and scholars/scientists have been studying their abandoned settlements in an effort to get more answers. The second mystery involves the enigma known as unspace, which is the underlying nothing beneath the universe. A part of space that allows for travel across light years in just mere moments, but at what cost? And there are those who after journeying through unspace have come out somewhat changed. The reasons for which we are dying to understand. So yes, these tantalizing mysteries are a huge part of this story, besides the political and societal maneuvering that take place between the characters. These elements combined take this SF story to very lofty heights indeed.

EYES OF THE VOID was just the type of sequel that I had hoped it would be. The stakes have been raised considerably, alliances are being formed, enemies are making themselves known, and the epic battle on the horizon promises to be legendary. I'm happy to say that Adrian Tchaikovsky has written another stellar space opera tale that will delight anyone who loves their science fiction smart, tech-heavy, and full of exciting adventure. I don't know how I'm going to pass the time waiting for book three, but if it is anything like these first two books in the series, it will be more than well worth it.

Preorder your copy now because you are not going to want to miss this one. And definitely read the first book in this series, Shards of Earth if you haven't yet because that one is a beautiful introduction to this story. This is space opera the way it should be told. Big ideas, mysterious civilizations, cool alien technology, characters who think and act in ways that surprise, and the ingredient that matters most - it's just downright fun to read. I have visions of this being made into a blockbuster film or TV series someday and I really hope I get the chance to see it. If you are a fan of Iain M. Banks, Peter F. Hamilton, and Gareth L. Powell, then this will be right up your alley for sure.