It had been a long time since I had read a novel by Robert Reed. I had read a couple short stories by him but it had been years since I had sunk my teeth into a weighty tome penned by him. That changed when I cracked open “The Memory of Sky” and settled in for 600 pages of strong science fiction.

Diamond spent his childhood in isolation. He was never lonely as his mother was around all the time and his father spent as much time as he could at home when he was not travelling for his work. Diamond did not really know why he never left the house but he never questioned it either. The notion that he had a vague illness was good enough for him. Then the day finally came when Diamond was forced out into the wider world and nothing would ever be the same again.

Diamond had seemed a normal child other than his isolation. He had enjoyed his toys and the company of his parents. In the end, though, he was nothing but normal. There were a handful of people in the world that had the ability to change the world and Diamond was one of those special people. Maybe even the most special of all. Once his presence was known, both friends and foes flocked to him to guide, control, or destroy him. Diamond had inside him the power to remake the human species and lead it to something greater than it had known for a long time. But the power to rekindle the dominance of one species means the downfall of another and the power struggle is fierce. Can this sheltered child find his way through an unfettered world to become the savior of all or is he doomed to failure, or even worse, the downfall of the society that had grown over the years?

I was not sure what to expect when I started “The Memory of Sky” except a well-written book. I found that in spades. The novel, which is very long at around 600 pages, never once seems to lose track of its goal as some longer novels tend to do. Reed comes into the story with a strong plan as to where to go with the story and never strays from that goal. There is nothing in the story that seems superfluous and the reader is kept focused on the plot of the story throughout. Reed sidesteps all possible distractions and side stories to keep the book moving along and entertaining for the entire length of the story. The characters are well rounded and it is easy for the reader to become lost in the story and feel as if it is unfolding around them in the real world. The world and characters are so vibrant and detailed that the novel almost seems like more of a documentary than it does fiction.

“The Memory of Sky” is an epic science fiction/fantasy novel that is among the best of its kind. Reed creates a world that feels real through the lush detail he provides and yet the story never lags due to the detailed setting. The world creating is balanced with the action of the narrative to near perfection. The characters feel real and it is easy for the reader to understand them and come to either cheer for or against them. Diamond is a sympathetic character and provides the perfect window for the reader to experience the novel. The world of the novel seems to be a foil of our own which makes the novel seem relevant even when it is at its most fantastic. Fans of both science fiction and fantasy will find a lot to like in this novel and should not hesitate to pick it up.

I would like to thank Prime Books and NetGalley for this review copy. “The Memory of Sky” is available now.