The story is set at some undefined time in the future when humans have spread throughout the near reaches of space. Advances in all aspects of science from bioengineering to nanotechnology mean people are virtually immortal, able to regenerate limbs or entire bodies, to choose a range of physical and physiological augmentations or even upload themselves to electronic entities ranging from augmented intelligences (AIs) to starships that explore the farthest reaches of the stars.
Some things have changed very little however. Three organisations control and regulate human space (political and military control is exerted by the Administration, the Gjomvik Corporation represents the interests of business and trade, and a media conglomerate known as The Games Board arranges "sanctioned conflicts" for the entertainment of the masses), and the first intelligent non-human species encountered is immediately bombed out of existence.
When a vast library compiled by the newly exterminated aliens is discovered on a distant moon, a team of army engineers is dispatched to investigate. The story focuses on the members of the team and their adventures with both an artefact and the occasional Games-Board initiated action. It soon becomes apparent that this is no ordinary unit and there are larger forces controlling events, the nature of which will no doubt become apparent in future books.
Burnt Ice is a well realised and written novel with echoes from a variety of sources, from Ian MacDonald's early works to the Culture novels of Ian M. Banks. My main problem is that because every character can upload their memories before every conflict, ready to be placed in a new body if necessary, or synthesise almost any component of their spaceship or weaponry as needed, there is no sense they are ever really in peril.
It is tantalising to see where Wheeler takes the wider story, and I will probably give the next in the series a try, but his debut left me a little disappointed.
• Written by Cushla McKinney.
