Smack dab in the middle of Ian Bank’s highly acclaimed science fiction series (‘Culture’), is “Inversion.” A tale full of feudal rule, distant war, spies, torture, harems, and loads of palace intrigue -- it’s closer to ‘Game of Thrones’ than Star Trek. Set on a backwater planet somewhere in the Culture universe, the entire novel happens away from the technological sophisticated Culture, with only a few characters that even aware of the vast technological society that exists beyond the medieval cities, towns, and countryside of this planet.

I struggled to find the meta-meaning of why Banks authored this novel in the context of the broader Culture series. Perhaps it’s to remind us of the ‘inverse’ of the Culture – an unjust, misogynistic, and at times brutal world. Maybe the reflections of power/powerless, men/women, sickness/healing, and love/hate. It caught me off guard, I was prepared for another dazzling technology story depicting a far distant future. But as I settled in, I certainly appreciated the taut intertwining of multiple story lines, distinct characters, and a rich plot. I’ve always been fascinated by stories where the downtrodden and powerless find ways to affect the rich and powerful. As in most feudal tales, there is nothing noble about noblemen and given enough time, even the subjugated will find revenge/justice/reprisal.

Four stone stars for this well-written medieval tale of contrasting themes, exposed by fascinating characters and plot. ( )

This a very sad book. The tenth book The Culture series I have read. The last book. There will be no more of them. I was putting off this book for a very long time. I read it in one day. I think this is the most coherent and focused book of the series. ( )

Good. The sci fi elements are very limited, which makes a nice change of pace. The fact it's a Culture book is vaguely a spoiler but it's impossible to avoid so whatever. You kind of need to have read at least one other Culture book to understand what's going on, I think. The plot is good and builds up to a great climax - a major twist but not something that totally ruins the development that's gone before. I liked it in general. Touches on moral questions raised by the Culture without going too in depth (ending spoiler) and gives an idea of how the Culture's contact/special circumstances missions play out on the ground, from the perspective of people who don't know what they are

There's some violence against women in the book and discussion about rape, I think it's handled reasonably - although I'm quite likely wrong and it's hard to judge - and apart from one section when a character is discussing their experience it's not explicit. The viewpoint character for half the chapters sometimes acts a little creepily but I think it's intended and not condoned as he's what I assume to be a teen. I dunno

v minor ending spoiler The ending where the Kingdom gets a queen is funny because earlier when the king is talking about marriage he insists he'll have a son ( )

I tacked a three star rating on this one, but that's only a pro tem kinda thing. I need to read it again. I just don't think I got everything out if this I should have.

There are hints of greatness here. The question is am I being clueless, or did the authour just miss his usual very high standard.

Oh, and it's a Banks novel. Quit reading reviews before somebody messes it up on you. Just read it yourself and then tell me what you think. ( )

What would it be like if Iain M. Banks wrote a Game of Thrones-inspired novel vaguely set in the Culture universe? This book would happen, that's what. Surprisingly enthralling, and easily one of my favorites in the series, even if just 1% sci-fi. ( )