Vortex [Hardcover]

I think alot of people are going to be mildly disappointed with Vortex, but for all the wrong reasons. Some people will expect to gain some closure to the events of the first novel, Spin. What ever happened to Tyler? What ever became of Jason Lawton after the events of Spin came to a close? Others will expect a galaxy tripping event novel of Spin's magnitude. I started reading Vortex with the same expectations. And while those expectations were never met, what I got instead floored me.

As always, Wilson is concerned with his characters, first and foremost. Like all of his novels, Vortex is populated by isolated, folksy people clinging to one-another amidst world-changing, fantastic events. Characterization is thinner here than most of his previous work, but unlike those other novels (and this is saying alot), Wilson is working towards something bigger here. His aim is nothing less than finding Hope and Forgiveness within Heat Death.

There are usually only two kinds of sci-fi by Mr. Wilson. The hopeful variety such as Blind Lake, The Chronoliths, Bridge of Years, Julian Comstock and Spin. Then there's the hopeless, bleak kind like Bios and Axis. Here, Wilson's created a blend of both and absolutely nails it. Vortex is his premier work, in my humble opinion. I love The Chronoliths and Bridge of Years and I think Spin is a classic sci-fi novel. But what Wilson accomplishes here is tantamount to giving a hardcore athiest a reason to be spiritual. The last 40 pages of Vortex are an immense accomplishment. Maybe he hasn't tied all of the plot pieces together between Spin, Axis and Vortex, but he **has** tied them together thematically.

I can only imagine that being Robert Charles Wilson means being isolated and in immense amounts of pain, and that he works this pain out by writing gut-wrenching, mind-blowing sci-fi that leaves his readers not only scientifically challenged, but spiritually comforted.

To get the full effect, start with Spin, get through Axis and read Vortex with an open-mind. The journey is worth it, and its not quite what you expect.

First and foremost, I have to say that everything I've read of Wilson's so far has been fantastic in its own unique way. Vortex is no different.

Wilson managed, yet again, to pique my interest in this story within the first few pages. He has a great way of introducing and developing characters to be believable, as well as people the reader comes to genuinely care about.
Overall I am more than satisfied with Vortex, although I wish it could have lasted just a little bit longer! Vortex is a story in and of itself, rooted in the world of Spin and Axis. Its focus is not on completing the story of either of the two previous books. Instead it focuses on human nature, and the characters all shared an underlying sense of isolation.

There were aspects of the story that took me by surprise, but it kept me on edge and made it difficult to put down. The last section of the book is the real kicker, and Wilson orchestrates it beautifully.

If you are a fan of Wilson's work, pick up Vortex, while it may not be quite what you expect, trust me when I say it won't disappoint. If you're knew to the world of the Spin, then I urge you start form the beginning and enjoy the journey.

This is a fine conclusion to the Spin/Axis/Vortex trilogy.

Spin is one of the finest sci fi books I've read, Axis not so much, and Vortex falls in between the two.

A definite must-read for hard sci fi lovers. The ending is satisfying and wraps things up nicely, in a mind-blowing way a la Stephen Baxter. I personally find the world-view in Wilson's books a bit bleak and depressing, but if you are a fan then definitely check out this trilogy.

Some of the settings weren't too interesting to me, but the book keeps you reading by presenting interesting main characters, along with enough mystery and suspense and some other very interesting settings. If you don't appreciate a book like this, try writing one, and you'll realize what an accomplishment this is.