Perfect in every way. Toner has created a space opera so vast it’s dizzying, yet so personal you can’t help but get pulled along with the lives of the cast of characters. If there is any justice in the world this series will be recognised widely as the ground breaking piece of pure artistry that it is.

The Tropic of Eternity by Tom Toner

Imagine a galaxy of worlds many thousands of years from now, worlds populated by beings that were once human but have now evolved into a multitude of different kinds, whether feathered, glistening with changeable colours or merged with other animals into the most extraordinary beasts. There are also artificial intelligences, machines that have evolved to have great power and influence. And walking amongst them all are the Amaranthine, human beings who once lived in times not that far removed from our own but were given the gift of immortality, a blessing perhaps until the inevitable insanity finally ends their lives all the same. Some worlds are more familiar than most, especially the Old World, with its western island of Ingolland. Other worlds are as different as can be, including Drolgins with its Gulp, a deep blue hole within its sea from which nobody can escape. That’s if they survive the other monstrous surprises that swim its waters. And it’s there that The Tropic of Eternity begins.

The Tropic of Eternity is the third novel in the extraordinary, beautiful and original Amaranthine Spectrum series, which follows the conflict between descendents of mankind – the Lacaille and the Vulgar – as well as the struggle of the Amaranthine to emerge strong again, under a new emperor. First, though, there will be war. Others look for their future in the form of the young queen Arabis who, it is hoped, will unite together the Melius species on Old World. But Arabis, a babe in arms, has been stolen by a beast. Meanwhile, Aaron the Long-Life, the longest lived of them all, is after vengeance. Some have a more desperate fight for survival – Captain Maril, a Vulgar, and his crew, is marooned far from home and he’s caught up in something more dangerous than anyone can imagine.

Tom Toner writes so beautifully, there are moments, places and characters here that are described with such gorgeousness, as well as not a little horror, that the book bewitches. This is stunning prose, exquisitely realised people and places. We’ve met many of the characters before and so I think that you’d definitely benefit from having read The Promise of the Child and The Weight of the World first. Otherwise, I think you could become a little lost. There is a resonance in this book that reaches back to the beginning of the series – the story has grown, the fates are taking their shape.

The novel comprises so many stories on a multitude of worlds. There are threads that tie them all together but for much of the time we move between places, people, worlds and themes. I think that The Tropic of Eternity is the most complex and, for this reader, most difficult of the series, but its gorgeousness – as well as the moments of horror – more than compensates for the moments which left me wondering what in the heavens was going on! There is a very helpful glossary at the back which lists people, places, species and things. I referred to it repeatedly and it definitely added to the experience of reading. I was also grateful for the synopsis of the other two books at the beginning.

I’m in awe of Tom Toner’s genius in creating this extraordinarily rich, warm, frightening, loving and rewarding future universe. There is so much to wonder at, puzzle over, be scared of and enjoy. Everything is so intricately linked and, while at times, the larger picture may be difficult to grasp, its moments are glorious.

Other reviews
The Promise of the Child
The Weight of the World

Far into the future humankind has fractured into different species, each with its place in the hierarchy of the extended social structure; the Amaranthine, the descendants of humanity who have unlocked some of the secrets of immortality, right down to the Prism species at the bottom of this vast social order. Each faction now vies for supremacy. Things are going to get very messy, unless a balance can be found.

Imagine the Jabberwocky running amok within a steampunk world, and one with the most sophisticated of ethereal capabilities, catching and dragging all it passes in its wild thrashings, then hurling itself into Gormenghast where it begins ferociously terraforming. In this way you might begin to get a grasp on all that is the Amaranthine series.

The story barrels along with the most vigour I have ever seen in a thickly plotted book, yet somehow manages to fit in the most incredible worldbuilding along the way with fully-formed characters you simply have to follow on their journey.

But a word of warning. This is not a lazy read. You need to pay attention if you are going to feast on this all-you-can-eat gourmet buffet of science fiction and fantasy. The Tropic of Eternity is highly episodic, with so many worthy characters that the sheer volume and seemingly erratic way one chapter follows another it requires a reader with a serious amount of concentration, accompanied by an alphabetically organised notebook to keep track of everything. I was about half the way in before I really got to grips with the whole story arc. But I was having such a glorious time with the lyrical writing and description I really didn’t care how disjointed or bizarre the world became, because I just wanted to wallow in everything on offer.

The mish-mash of low tech (almost medieval in some places) welded to high tech weaponry and space craft, which at times appear to have the type of jointing you feel the need to get out your adjustable wrench to tighten because you can feel the structure creak with exertion, is just wild.

When I had finished I couldn’t believe the series only came on my radar at this stage and am now working my way through the other two (albeit slowly), before I go back into The Tropic of Eternity again, because it just has so much to give. Along with its fellows, The Tropic of Eternity will be a book I return to repeatedly over the years. Definity a classic, because worldbuilding on this scale and with such panache is rarely achieved.

Tom Toner may be the Steven Erikson of Science Fiction, because he drops the reader straight into an unfamiliar world without any explanation.

I'm a fast reader and sometimes tempted to skim more than I should, which works with books set on our world where not every third word is strange and unfamiliar. After reading a third of the first novel, about two years ago, I almost put it away for good, because I had no idea what was going on. I decided to re-start from the beginning and take my time.

I admit, I had to take notes, and while reading the second book I frequently had to use the glossary and look up names, races and places.

Throughout the third book, however, I finally felt like I belonged in this world and was able to navigate without feeling lost.

I've hardly ever been this immersed in a world. Tom Toner presents a world so rich and so fleshed out, I was blown away by every page. It's a creative mix between sci-fi and fantasy presenting an innovative future filled with diverse, unique cultures and breathtaking ideas. The scope alone is immense and the level of complexity, frankly, insane.

More than once I thought: how did he come up with all of this?

At one point, during the second book, I looked up at my partner and said: this is absolutely brilliant.

The books are very complex. While I personally don't mind not knowing what's going on for a good portion of a book, I think Toner expects a lot from the reader. There's a vast cast of characters to keep track of, next to a dozen species and planets.

The prose is wonderful, very descriptive, filled with lush details and striking visuals.

I love all the characters, but I've got a soft spot for Percy and Aaron in particular. The entire cast is fleshed out, well-developed and I find them all incredibly intriguing. I wasn't entirely sold on Lycaste at first, but Toner develops him in fascinating ways, and I grew quite fond of him.

The third book is almost non-stop action, the chapters move with a sense of urgency as an epic conflict unfolds. While this is not the last book in the series it does end on a hopeful note with a few touching chapters at the end that made me smile.

Toner has definitely created something ambitious and memorable, and I am eagerly awaiting new books by him.

I recommend The Amaranthine Spectrum series (for the love of everything, please start with the first book) to everyone who likes a complex and epic plot spanning centuries, and beautiful prose. I think both fans of Gene Wolfe as well as Steven Erikson will appreciate this one.