Excession by Iain M. Banks

It's a revelation that I hadn't come across Iain M. Banks sooner. My introduction to his work was a serendipitous encounter with an astronomer during a trip to Norway. It seems he's a bigger name in Europe. Nevertheless, I'm overjoyed to have discovered his imaginative and beautifully written series, except for the book Inversions, which I didn't quite finish.

When a mysterious artifact, known to the Minds as an Excession, is discovered, it sparks intense speculation about its purpose and capabilities. Genar-Hofoen, a diplomat from the Culture's Special Circumstances, is dispatched to investigate. His mission takes a series of unexpected turns when he encounters the aggressive race known as the Affront and, later, a former love. Meanwhile, the Minds' insatiable curiosity leads them to overlook caution, triggering a war between the Culture and the Affront. It's up to the distracted Genar-Hofoen to resolve the conflict and solve the mystery of the Excession.

I love this series! Banks is a creative writer whose sense of humor and storytelling ability make the characters and environments come to life. It's an ambitious series that Banks executes with a deft hand. 

5/5 stars.

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