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The Kings of Eternity
1999, on the threshold of a new millennium, the novelist Daniel Langham lives a reclusive life on an idyllic Greek island, hiding away from humanity and the events of the past. All that changes, however, when he meets artist Caroline Platt and finds himself falling in love. But what is his secret, and what are the horrors that haunt him?
1935. Writer Jonathon Langham and Edward Vaughan are summoned from London by their editor friend Jasper Carnegie to help investigate strange goings on in Hopton Wood. What they discover there – no less than a strange creature from another world – will change their lives for ever. What they become, and their link to the novelist of the future, is the subject of Eric Brown’s most ambitious novel to date.
Almost ten years in the writing, The Kings of Eternity is a novel of vast scope and depth, full of the staple tropes of the genre and yet imbued with humanity and characters you’ll come to love.
1935. Writer Jonathon Langham and Edward Vaughan are summoned from London by their editor friend Jasper Carnegie to help investigate strange goings on in Hopton Wood. What they discover there – no less than a strange creature from another world – will change their lives for ever. What they become, and their link to the novelist of the future, is the subject of Eric Brown’s most ambitious novel to date.
Almost ten years in the writing, The Kings of Eternity is a novel of vast scope and depth, full of the staple tropes of the genre and yet imbued with humanity and characters you’ll come to love.
367 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Eric Brown
380 books186 followersEric Brown was a British science fiction author and Guardian critic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 11, 2011
Last year I read a half dozen books by Eric Brown, and he very quickly became one of my favourite authors. It wasn't like I hadn't read anything by him before, I had all of his Solaris releases up to that point, but after reading the final Bengal Station book, Cosmopath, in late 2009 I knew I had to track down some of his other work. Eric Brown is the kind of author that can write about very human traits, crafting his stories to deliver an emotional and personal experience. The fact that he writes SF is all the better, but he doesn't force the ideas and technology on to you through his stories, and while they are an integral part to the plots they do not dominate them. It's a style that is very successful, and goes to show just how skilled he is at telling a story.
Why, you may ask, am I telling you this. It's quite simple really: The Kings of Eternity is another typical Eric Brown novel, one that uses an SF staple at its core, yet tells the story through its characters. The cover may suggest interplanetary travel, alien worlds and intelligence, and perhaps even that sense of wonder that SF is known for, but what you will find within the pages of The Kings of Eternity is more personal, but thoroughly science fictional.
The Kings of Eternity is split into two very distinct sections, one focusing on writer Daniel Langham and his secluded life on a small Greek island during 1999 and the other on Jonathon Langham, Edward Vaughan and brothers Jasper & Charles Carnegie in London and the English countryside of 1935. Daniel Langham is a writer who enjoys his privacy, always conscious of people trying to get close to him for an exclusive interview or whatever else he suspects them of. And that is the case when Caroline Platt comes into his life, changing his outlook and once again falling in love. In 1935 Jonathon and Vaughan are also writers, and after a summons to the estate of Jasper Carnegie they discover something beyond wonder that will change their lives, forever.
What struck me when I started The Kings of Eternity was very much the non-sf feel of the book, the characters and the writing. With one small exception you could have been fooled that you were reading a non-genre novel up to 60 or so pages in, and then once the science fictional element comes into play it's there, but sometimes you actually forget it is. Eric Brown has crafted characters that you genuinely want to care about, are interested in their lives and how they deal with the everything that is thrown at them. This is not something that happens in many genre novels where characterisation often takes second place to Big Ideas, but Brown has been bucking that trend for a long time now - The Kings of Eternity is a prime example of a writer at the top of his game.
Daniel Langham comes across very much as the lonely writer desperately trying to keep his privacy, but there is a deeper layer to this that is not immediately apparent. From his early encounters with strangers he is obviously paranoid about something, and this aspect of his past is explored more as the novel progresses. When he meets Caroline he is at odds with himself - his paranoia means he must know she isn't just after the usual stuff, but he desperately wants to ignore this and take things as they come. It's an interesting view into his character that also throws up other trust issues he has, and it's dealt with just right. The times we follow Daniel are the shorter sections for the most part, but they add a much to the story and, in the end, it's clear why.
Jonathon Langham, also a writer, lives in 1935 London, able to live decently off his craft. His relationship with Carla, a stage actress in London, is an on and off affair, not quite leading to a full partnership. But Jonathon's jealousy is his downfall and he can't even see her talking to another man without the beast rearing its ugly head. With his father also ill his friendship with Edward Vaughan and Jasper Carnegie that leads him away from London is just what he needs, and the discovery of a portal from another world in Hopton Wood is only the start. While Jonathon's life in London shows much of his character, it's the events in Hopton Wood and Cranley Grange that are the start, and focus, of The Kings of Eternity.
Because both narrators are writers the prose flows very well, the descriptions of their surroundings, the events that they are part of and their story in general are conveyed in such a way that you don't so much as read the novel but simply absorb the story. Sometimes a book can have this readability factor that makes you want to plow through it and get to the end, but the opposite is true for The Kings of Eternity. I didn't want it to end, and even though I was desperate to read more and more in each sitting I rationed myself to the novel, not wanting to come to the final page. However, the end did come and I was left wanting. I did not want The Kings of Eternity to be anything other than what it was, I just wanted more. Perhaps this is selfish of me, but it is rare that a book delivers such a story that I felt deprived when it ended.
I can't say that I highly recommend The Kings of Eternity because that's not true - I believe that this book is a must-read. It's the kind of sci-fi book that is accessible to non-sci-fi readers, but it is equally one that veteran readers of the genre will enjoy. Excellent.
Why, you may ask, am I telling you this. It's quite simple really: The Kings of Eternity is another typical Eric Brown novel, one that uses an SF staple at its core, yet tells the story through its characters. The cover may suggest interplanetary travel, alien worlds and intelligence, and perhaps even that sense of wonder that SF is known for, but what you will find within the pages of The Kings of Eternity is more personal, but thoroughly science fictional.
The Kings of Eternity is split into two very distinct sections, one focusing on writer Daniel Langham and his secluded life on a small Greek island during 1999 and the other on Jonathon Langham, Edward Vaughan and brothers Jasper & Charles Carnegie in London and the English countryside of 1935. Daniel Langham is a writer who enjoys his privacy, always conscious of people trying to get close to him for an exclusive interview or whatever else he suspects them of. And that is the case when Caroline Platt comes into his life, changing his outlook and once again falling in love. In 1935 Jonathon and Vaughan are also writers, and after a summons to the estate of Jasper Carnegie they discover something beyond wonder that will change their lives, forever.
What struck me when I started The Kings of Eternity was very much the non-sf feel of the book, the characters and the writing. With one small exception you could have been fooled that you were reading a non-genre novel up to 60 or so pages in, and then once the science fictional element comes into play it's there, but sometimes you actually forget it is. Eric Brown has crafted characters that you genuinely want to care about, are interested in their lives and how they deal with the everything that is thrown at them. This is not something that happens in many genre novels where characterisation often takes second place to Big Ideas, but Brown has been bucking that trend for a long time now - The Kings of Eternity is a prime example of a writer at the top of his game.
Daniel Langham comes across very much as the lonely writer desperately trying to keep his privacy, but there is a deeper layer to this that is not immediately apparent. From his early encounters with strangers he is obviously paranoid about something, and this aspect of his past is explored more as the novel progresses. When he meets Caroline he is at odds with himself - his paranoia means he must know she isn't just after the usual stuff, but he desperately wants to ignore this and take things as they come. It's an interesting view into his character that also throws up other trust issues he has, and it's dealt with just right. The times we follow Daniel are the shorter sections for the most part, but they add a much to the story and, in the end, it's clear why.
Jonathon Langham, also a writer, lives in 1935 London, able to live decently off his craft. His relationship with Carla, a stage actress in London, is an on and off affair, not quite leading to a full partnership. But Jonathon's jealousy is his downfall and he can't even see her talking to another man without the beast rearing its ugly head. With his father also ill his friendship with Edward Vaughan and Jasper Carnegie that leads him away from London is just what he needs, and the discovery of a portal from another world in Hopton Wood is only the start. While Jonathon's life in London shows much of his character, it's the events in Hopton Wood and Cranley Grange that are the start, and focus, of The Kings of Eternity.
Because both narrators are writers the prose flows very well, the descriptions of their surroundings, the events that they are part of and their story in general are conveyed in such a way that you don't so much as read the novel but simply absorb the story. Sometimes a book can have this readability factor that makes you want to plow through it and get to the end, but the opposite is true for The Kings of Eternity. I didn't want it to end, and even though I was desperate to read more and more in each sitting I rationed myself to the novel, not wanting to come to the final page. However, the end did come and I was left wanting. I did not want The Kings of Eternity to be anything other than what it was, I just wanted more. Perhaps this is selfish of me, but it is rare that a book delivers such a story that I felt deprived when it ended.
I can't say that I highly recommend The Kings of Eternity because that's not true - I believe that this book is a must-read. It's the kind of sci-fi book that is accessible to non-sci-fi readers, but it is equally one that veteran readers of the genre will enjoy. Excellent.
July 23, 2014
Since my experience with Eric Brown's work is mixed at best - liked Penumbra a lot, Helix mostly, but was meh on Necropath and sequels and thought that Engineman was badly dated and parochial to boot - I did not pay attention to this one until very enthusiastic reviews from Mark and Rob decided me to get it; on finishing it I have to say that the book is very well written, compelling and i stayed way too late to finish it.
The Kings of Eternity is the kind of book that needed a different publisher since I agree with Mark and Rob that with the right marketing (release at least as a tpb if not a hc, easy availability in stores and placement in the fiction shelves rather than sf the way I saw Map of Time which is quite inferior to this one but made a lot of splash) this is a book that could have a Time Traveller's Wife appeal and success.
Reclusive writers, tragic romances, artists, Greece, a great premise for the sf newbie and great writing make the right combination for that.
sadly the book seems to be very little promoted and it is not available in store, only online- never saw it a bookstore and I looked for it in quite a few B&N's and Borders both here in MI and in NY - so I suspect it will be quickly forgotten, while books like Time Traveler's Wife and a map of Time which imho are not as good by a lot will still be out there and people won;t know what they miss...
This being said, as a sf novel there are some drawbacks - the story is one I read for the 100th time so I could predict it in general lines very early, the sf content is pure 30's pulp (ray guns and all) and the book verges on solipsism on occasion. The biggest failing though was the complete seriousness the sfnal part is taken - here it shows the difference between a decent sf writer like Mr. Brown and a top level one like say C. Priest who would have inserted enough ambiguity to make one wonder if the aliens and all are real or everything comes from the delusions of the narrator. That would have raised the novel to possibly a masterpiece of sf; this way it is a very good book, highly recommended and one that should appeal a lot to sf newbies and show them why the genre is so well loved by its fans
The Kings of Eternity is the kind of book that needed a different publisher since I agree with Mark and Rob that with the right marketing (release at least as a tpb if not a hc, easy availability in stores and placement in the fiction shelves rather than sf the way I saw Map of Time which is quite inferior to this one but made a lot of splash) this is a book that could have a Time Traveller's Wife appeal and success.
Reclusive writers, tragic romances, artists, Greece, a great premise for the sf newbie and great writing make the right combination for that.
sadly the book seems to be very little promoted and it is not available in store, only online- never saw it a bookstore and I looked for it in quite a few B&N's and Borders both here in MI and in NY - so I suspect it will be quickly forgotten, while books like Time Traveler's Wife and a map of Time which imho are not as good by a lot will still be out there and people won;t know what they miss...
This being said, as a sf novel there are some drawbacks - the story is one I read for the 100th time so I could predict it in general lines very early, the sf content is pure 30's pulp (ray guns and all) and the book verges on solipsism on occasion. The biggest failing though was the complete seriousness the sfnal part is taken - here it shows the difference between a decent sf writer like Mr. Brown and a top level one like say C. Priest who would have inserted enough ambiguity to make one wonder if the aliens and all are real or everything comes from the delusions of the narrator. That would have raised the novel to possibly a masterpiece of sf; this way it is a very good book, highly recommended and one that should appeal a lot to sf newbies and show them why the genre is so well loved by its fans
July 17, 2011
2.5 Stars
This ia a very accessible science fiction novel that will appeal to new scifi readers and the young adult crowd. It probably will only come across as passable to hard scifi readers like myself. Eric Brown does an unusual thing with this novel. He takes a few deep and high tech science fiction themes / technologies and writes them in a way that totally down plays them. I understand that he wants this book to come across more as pulp-noir fiction novel than a scifi but I feel that the way the science is underdone downplays this book.
The split timeline of both of our protagonists is intriguing and well done. It suffers, however from being very predictable. Too many plot points are obvious and then written in a very superficial way. At times it is as bland as a plain rice cake.
I never found any real attachment or any reason to even like any of our protagonists. This book lacked any real hurtles other than the obligatory assassin scenes. The prose like the story was sufficient. This is a book that could have been better had it gone more towards the 30's noir type novel. It could have been great as a scifi adventure if that plot line was followed. Heck, Brown could have mad this one go hard science fiction by having Jonathon receive more goods from Jasper. The writing too me needed a more grounded focus.
At times I liked it, for example: Jonathon is asked by Al,"A novelist? Are you published?"" I'd had this response before, and it has always struck me as asinine. If one introduced oneself as an air-line pilot, would the other person then ask,'Have you ever flown a plane?'". Funny stuff.
This short scifi light novel might appeal to new readers or to the young adult crowd.
This ia a very accessible science fiction novel that will appeal to new scifi readers and the young adult crowd. It probably will only come across as passable to hard scifi readers like myself. Eric Brown does an unusual thing with this novel. He takes a few deep and high tech science fiction themes / technologies and writes them in a way that totally down plays them. I understand that he wants this book to come across more as pulp-noir fiction novel than a scifi but I feel that the way the science is underdone downplays this book.
The split timeline of both of our protagonists is intriguing and well done. It suffers, however from being very predictable. Too many plot points are obvious and then written in a very superficial way. At times it is as bland as a plain rice cake.
I never found any real attachment or any reason to even like any of our protagonists. This book lacked any real hurtles other than the obligatory assassin scenes. The prose like the story was sufficient. This is a book that could have been better had it gone more towards the 30's noir type novel. It could have been great as a scifi adventure if that plot line was followed. Heck, Brown could have mad this one go hard science fiction by having Jonathon receive more goods from Jasper. The writing too me needed a more grounded focus.
At times I liked it, for example: Jonathon is asked by Al,"A novelist? Are you published?"" I'd had this response before, and it has always struck me as asinine. If one introduced oneself as an air-line pilot, would the other person then ask,'Have you ever flown a plane?'". Funny stuff.
This short scifi light novel might appeal to new readers or to the young adult crowd.
June 17, 2011
Intriguing science fiction flawed by a incompletely conceived extraterrestrial plot juxtaposed with an engaging terrestrial storyline.
December 24, 2011
Here’s a book that I had to be persuaded to read, but I am glad I did. It’s a romance, not only in the conventional sense but also the scientific, and consequently has more than a whiff of the HG Wells’ or the Christopher Priest’s about it.
The story runs in two themes. The present, (well, set in 1999), involves a novelist, Daniel Langham, living a life of quiet solitude in Kallithea, Greece. Here he seems content in whiling away his days writing and being reclusive, though he finds that his mundane life can be one of interest to others. This includes his new neighbour, artist Caroline Platt, who he meets and soon falls in love with. Unfortunately he is reticent to pursue the relationship further because he has a great secret, which is connected to 1935. A pile of yellowed paper kept by Daniel tells of this secret, which involves Jonathon Langham, also a writer, who whilst living in London is asked to meet his publisher Jasper Carnegie at his country retreat in a place called Hopton Wood. There with another author, SF writer Edward Vaughan, Jonathon experiences a strange event that will affect his life forever: he meets an extraterrestrial that appears through a portal in the middle of the woods.
By the end the link between the two initially separate threads, one told in the first person, the other in the third, is clear. To mention how it comes about here though would spoil things.
This is a book which cleverly and subtly evokes the tales of HG Wells with the shifting realities of Christopher Priest. And as with such authors, particularly Priest, the SF is often slight, yet essential to the plot, although here the book is more of a character study than a space opera. This is a book where above all you engage with the characters, to the point where the science-fictional elements become overshadowed by the people you read about.
With its focus on character and plot, it is knowingly old-fashioned, yet at the same time enthused with an energy and enthusiasm that keeps it contemporary. It is also pleasingly positive and optimistic by the end, in a manner befitting Arthur C. Clarke, that decent people do good things and consequently deserve reward, though it must be said that initially Jonathon in 1935 is not a particularly pleasant fellow.
It is also a tale of taking chances, of not missing opportunities, of not playing safe.
It is, in summary, a joy to comprehend and I polished it off in 48 hours.
A surprisingly pleasing experience and one that might be a favourite read of 2011.
The story runs in two themes. The present, (well, set in 1999), involves a novelist, Daniel Langham, living a life of quiet solitude in Kallithea, Greece. Here he seems content in whiling away his days writing and being reclusive, though he finds that his mundane life can be one of interest to others. This includes his new neighbour, artist Caroline Platt, who he meets and soon falls in love with. Unfortunately he is reticent to pursue the relationship further because he has a great secret, which is connected to 1935. A pile of yellowed paper kept by Daniel tells of this secret, which involves Jonathon Langham, also a writer, who whilst living in London is asked to meet his publisher Jasper Carnegie at his country retreat in a place called Hopton Wood. There with another author, SF writer Edward Vaughan, Jonathon experiences a strange event that will affect his life forever: he meets an extraterrestrial that appears through a portal in the middle of the woods.
By the end the link between the two initially separate threads, one told in the first person, the other in the third, is clear. To mention how it comes about here though would spoil things.
This is a book which cleverly and subtly evokes the tales of HG Wells with the shifting realities of Christopher Priest. And as with such authors, particularly Priest, the SF is often slight, yet essential to the plot, although here the book is more of a character study than a space opera. This is a book where above all you engage with the characters, to the point where the science-fictional elements become overshadowed by the people you read about.
With its focus on character and plot, it is knowingly old-fashioned, yet at the same time enthused with an energy and enthusiasm that keeps it contemporary. It is also pleasingly positive and optimistic by the end, in a manner befitting Arthur C. Clarke, that decent people do good things and consequently deserve reward, though it must be said that initially Jonathon in 1935 is not a particularly pleasant fellow.
It is also a tale of taking chances, of not missing opportunities, of not playing safe.
It is, in summary, a joy to comprehend and I polished it off in 48 hours.
A surprisingly pleasing experience and one that might be a favourite read of 2011.
February 12, 2012
My first foray into Eric Brown work, and based on what I read here, to be followed soon by more, if they are as good as The Kings of Eternity.
The main appeal for me was the transgenre appeal. The story goes beyond the immediate adventure of first contact and space battle epics. In fact these are secondary to character study, and the main character's search for love, for the meaning of life, for how to deal with his suddenly extraordinary circumstances.
The different threads woven into the story are well integrated, trasitting smoothly back and forth in time, focusing more on relations between characters and less on trying to establish scientific explanations for the various techno gadgets. As far as prose go, I was reminded of some of John Fowles novels, probably because of the Greek Island setting.
What I'm left with after the last scene, beyond the technical accomplishment of a well written story, is the message of hope that I'm sure the author intended tu accentuate. It is mentioned in the text, in one of the friendly discussions at the manor about the role of literature, and it reminds me why I love science fiction so much: SF, or scientific romance, is the genre of looking forward, of dreaming the future into reality. The recurring image of the small siluettes against a huge night sky is as powerful as the famous line from Space Oddisey:
My God, it's full of stars!
The main appeal for me was the transgenre appeal. The story goes beyond the immediate adventure of first contact and space battle epics. In fact these are secondary to character study, and the main character's search for love, for the meaning of life, for how to deal with his suddenly extraordinary circumstances.
The different threads woven into the story are well integrated, trasitting smoothly back and forth in time, focusing more on relations between characters and less on trying to establish scientific explanations for the various techno gadgets. As far as prose go, I was reminded of some of John Fowles novels, probably because of the Greek Island setting.
What I'm left with after the last scene, beyond the technical accomplishment of a well written story, is the message of hope that I'm sure the author intended tu accentuate. It is mentioned in the text, in one of the friendly discussions at the manor about the role of literature, and it reminds me why I love science fiction so much: SF, or scientific romance, is the genre of looking forward, of dreaming the future into reality. The recurring image of the small siluettes against a huge night sky is as powerful as the famous line from Space Oddisey:
My God, it's full of stars!
June 21, 2011
One of the best SF novels of 2011...The Kings of Eternity is the type of SF novel that should appeal to many readers. It has enough science fiction-y goodness for seasoned readers; conversely, it doesn’t thrust the reader into these elements unawares at the beginning of the story, thus lulling the reader into those elements; and perhaps most importantly: fully-rounded and believable characters. Though I didn’t completely like Jonathon all the time while I was reading, he felt real and I could empathize with him. The same goes for Daniel, though I did enjoy his company more. Brown, like I’ve said in a number of my reviews of other writers, allows the world and events to unfold through his characters. As I implied, this is all the more enjoyable since those characters are so alive and believable.
As always, review excerpt links to full review at SFFWorld.com
As always, review excerpt links to full review at SFFWorld.com
August 16, 2015
I almost gave up on this book several times. It's fairly short, but I was a full 25% of the way into it before anything happened. I was just done with it. I didn't particularly like the character, it kept jumping back and forth between two time periods and my lack of interest in the character made it difficult to follow (in one time period there is a girlfriend named Carla and in the other there is one named Caroline, and I'm bad with names so I kept getting them crossed with each other which made his seeming 180 degree reactions toward them very confusing), but worst of all the language in the book was almost pretentious to read. I had heard the term 'purple prose' before and I even remember looking it up once and thinking "aha, that is the name for that" but then forgetting again. This book is purple prose. I don't think I will forget the meaning of it again, after this. There is even a section in the book that I highlighted where a character reads out a section of writing from the main characters books (who is also an author, naturally) and criticizes it for being "Interesting, if a little overwritten." That is this book. I was about to give up on it and went back to the blurb on it to remember why I had even loaded it on my kindle in the first place, and went "Oh. Hmm. That does sound interesting. Maybe I'll keep going for a little more..."
Then I got to 25% and things happened and I was like "ahh, finally, the reason I loaded this." and once I was into it even the over-writing started to feel more like Jules Verne than simply trying too hard, which may have been what they were going for. And then at 40% I was like "holy shit this is pretty good actually." And by the end I was like "Eeeh, that was flawed, but these characters are cropping up in random thoughts throughout the day so I guess it's pretty good." 3.5 stars.
The premise, in case you're reading this because you haven't gotten 25% of the way into it yet and want to know if there's a point to continuing, is that a reclusive author and his three friends stumble upon an anomaly in the woods which turns out to be a gate to an alien planet. They have an encounter with an alien creature, save him, and are rewarded with some gifts in return. One of those gifts is the gift of immortality (more or less) via what is not explained as but is almost certainly some form of nano-medical-technology. Now they must deal with the fact that they will outlive everyone else. But there's more... they can give one dose to one other person each. Who do they give it to? How will they conceal their non-aging properties? Use of the technology is forbidden... what will they do when the aliens come looking for them as lawbreakers?
There were a lot of things that I picked up on and I wasn't sure if they were intentional or not. A lot of things are repeated. In a lot of cases it seems like it could be an attempt to signal something significant, but in other cases I was genuinely not sure if the author just forgot they had done that already. For example, the author in the book writes a story about a reclusive author living in Greece who is finally charmed by a woman and brought out of his solitude. Guess what happens to the character! In exactly the same town as the book he wrote! That can't just be a coincidence. But then certain descriptive phrases were used repetitively, like the one about heat hitting their skin like a physical blow. It's actually a plot point in the book that the author is accused of plagiarism because he accidentally re-uses phrases from books he penned under different names. Are these repetitive phrases some sort of nod to that or just a mistake of editing? Would there be a point to adding a nod to that?? I'm not sure. It went over my head if there is one.
And I noticed an odd tendency to over-explain things, but only the things that really didn't need any explanation whatsoever. To make it even more irritating, when something actually needed explaining, it would be glossed over. But if you ever wondered how an object got from one end of the room to the other, hoo boy nothing was left to imagination! Except then sometimes it wouldn't be explained and suddenly it was glaringly obvious that an object that had previously been described as on that side of the room was being picked up by a character on this side of it. Ironically, the breaks in continuity wouldn't have been an issue at all if it weren't for the anal over-description of everything else. There were times when I was absolutely positive I could see the author re-reading the scene and then going "Crap, what if someone asks about this," and adding a bunch of extraneous descriptive text to head off any pedantic questions, then forgetting that it impacted a scene later on.
Minor ending spoilers:
Much bigger ending spoilers:
More ending chat:
Then I got to 25% and things happened and I was like "ahh, finally, the reason I loaded this." and once I was into it even the over-writing started to feel more like Jules Verne than simply trying too hard, which may have been what they were going for. And then at 40% I was like "holy shit this is pretty good actually." And by the end I was like "Eeeh, that was flawed, but these characters are cropping up in random thoughts throughout the day so I guess it's pretty good." 3.5 stars.
The premise, in case you're reading this because you haven't gotten 25% of the way into it yet and want to know if there's a point to continuing, is that a reclusive author and his three friends stumble upon an anomaly in the woods which turns out to be a gate to an alien planet. They have an encounter with an alien creature, save him, and are rewarded with some gifts in return. One of those gifts is the gift of immortality (more or less) via what is not explained as but is almost certainly some form of nano-medical-technology. Now they must deal with the fact that they will outlive everyone else. But there's more... they can give one dose to one other person each. Who do they give it to? How will they conceal their non-aging properties? Use of the technology is forbidden... what will they do when the aliens come looking for them as lawbreakers?
There were a lot of things that I picked up on and I wasn't sure if they were intentional or not. A lot of things are repeated. In a lot of cases it seems like it could be an attempt to signal something significant, but in other cases I was genuinely not sure if the author just forgot they had done that already. For example, the author in the book writes a story about a reclusive author living in Greece who is finally charmed by a woman and brought out of his solitude. Guess what happens to the character! In exactly the same town as the book he wrote! That can't just be a coincidence. But then certain descriptive phrases were used repetitively, like the one about heat hitting their skin like a physical blow. It's actually a plot point in the book that the author is accused of plagiarism because he accidentally re-uses phrases from books he penned under different names. Are these repetitive phrases some sort of nod to that or just a mistake of editing? Would there be a point to adding a nod to that?? I'm not sure. It went over my head if there is one.
And I noticed an odd tendency to over-explain things, but only the things that really didn't need any explanation whatsoever. To make it even more irritating, when something actually needed explaining, it would be glossed over. But if you ever wondered how an object got from one end of the room to the other, hoo boy nothing was left to imagination! Except then sometimes it wouldn't be explained and suddenly it was glaringly obvious that an object that had previously been described as on that side of the room was being picked up by a character on this side of it. Ironically, the breaks in continuity wouldn't have been an issue at all if it weren't for the anal over-description of everything else. There were times when I was absolutely positive I could see the author re-reading the scene and then going "Crap, what if someone asks about this," and adding a bunch of extraneous descriptive text to head off any pedantic questions, then forgetting that it impacted a scene later on.
Minor ending spoilers:
Much bigger ending spoilers:
More ending chat:
September 11, 2025
The second time I’ve read this book, inspired on this occasion when I became aware of the sad passing of the author.
I loved Eric Brown’s Starship Seasons novellas and have read most of his science fiction (he also writes cosy mysteries). He is at his best when he slows it down to the kind of pastoral pace Clifford Simak writes and the Greek Island stone villa setting in this book is that kind of warm lazy afternoon.
It’s a scientific romance in the tradition of H G Wells and steeped in the language and customs of the 1930s so at times it’s corny and the dialogue a little naff.
That said I’d encourage a read as it’s a rare story of quality about eternal life, a fantasy many of us I’m sure have entertained and many authors have struggled to construct a compelling yarn.
If you go searching for fiction on this topic it’s odd that this book barely gets a mention online. Mostly the fiction about eternal life is in the fantasy genre and involves the supernatural - nearly always good looking vampires, so not my cup of tea.
Eric Brown succeeds in crafting a science fiction novel that’s uplifting, thoughtful and neatly structured. Its plot weakness perhaps is the implausible way eternal life for our four middle aged English heroes is gained but if you can forgive that this is a delightful epic to enjoy.
I loved Eric Brown’s Starship Seasons novellas and have read most of his science fiction (he also writes cosy mysteries). He is at his best when he slows it down to the kind of pastoral pace Clifford Simak writes and the Greek Island stone villa setting in this book is that kind of warm lazy afternoon.
It’s a scientific romance in the tradition of H G Wells and steeped in the language and customs of the 1930s so at times it’s corny and the dialogue a little naff.
That said I’d encourage a read as it’s a rare story of quality about eternal life, a fantasy many of us I’m sure have entertained and many authors have struggled to construct a compelling yarn.
If you go searching for fiction on this topic it’s odd that this book barely gets a mention online. Mostly the fiction about eternal life is in the fantasy genre and involves the supernatural - nearly always good looking vampires, so not my cup of tea.
Eric Brown succeeds in crafting a science fiction novel that’s uplifting, thoughtful and neatly structured. Its plot weakness perhaps is the implausible way eternal life for our four middle aged English heroes is gained but if you can forgive that this is a delightful epic to enjoy.
November 5, 2019
An unashamedly "old-fashioned" science fiction yarn. Set between the years 1935 and 1999, we follow the life of Jonathan Langham as he and his friend, Vaughan, along with their acquaintances Jasper and Charles, become embroiled within an interstellar war, a war that is very much in the background.
This is very much a story told on earth, of how four friendships continue through the decades. Eric Brown writes in the style of the Edwardian scientific romance, with great character and narrative.
Eminently readable, a tale of utmost positivity and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is very much a story told on earth, of how four friendships continue through the decades. Eric Brown writes in the style of the Edwardian scientific romance, with great character and narrative.
Eminently readable, a tale of utmost positivity and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 16, 2021
The first book I've read by Eric Brown, he's quite prolific but I've never heard of him before and have to say I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. The cover made me think it was going to be a B Movie style sci-fi story, but it wasn't at all, in fact for the first 50 pages or so, there is hardly any sci-fi at all. The setting for the earlier part of the storyline was reminiscent of Wells and Wyndham with the time and place setting. The technology involved seemed a bit too convenient at times and only there to make things easier. On the whole, very enjoyable.
December 31, 2018
This reminds me of some of the work from Clifford D Simak. Ordinary people who have stumbled upon extraordinary doings. The humanity of the main character shines which was something Simak did so well and Brown also manages in this fine novel. One I will reread several times over the coming years.
Ray Smillie
Ray Smillie
March 20, 2021
Takes a wee while to get into gear but once it does it is an enthralling read. A take on immortality with the human touch, where the main character has to move on before friends made start to question why they don't appear to be aging. You also find out why immortality has happened to a select few and touches on a galaxy wide battle. Another reason to love Eric Brown.
November 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Right when I though it soured, it got better and ended well. I loved this book. A sort of Sci Fi "romance", and really a good book or Sci Fi novel. It's by a British author. I suggest you try it. I think you'll like it too, I hope.
I don't want to give too much away or spoilers.
I don't want to give too much away or spoilers.
February 22, 2017
A beautiful story that I wished wouldn't come to an end. This is the second book of Eric Brown's that I have read and both were just superb.
Read this book and you won't be disappointed.
Read this book and you won't be disappointed.
February 3, 2018
An engaging story with early and late sections interleaved, turns into a thriller. Some familiar themes for Sci-Fi readers, but with a new mix. Marvelously done.
December 30, 2019
very similar to Buying Time: this is an equally masterful, earlier, science-fictional romance. either (but not necessarily both) recommended for your next beach holiday.
November 23, 2020
Sort of 1920's melodrama about 3 blokes who discover an alien gateway then live forever. Boring
July 9, 2018
I love Eric Brown. He's definitely my favourite sci-fi author and his books are almost always 5/5 for me. Here, I give only 4 stars because there was too much romance and not enough sci-fi elements. Although when they appear, they are really amazing - as always in Eric's books.
April 8, 2017
This is one of those book reviews that I find a little difficult to write, which may seem strange for a book to which I’ve given five stars, but as I begin to write I’m struggling to put down in words how much enjoyment I got from this. Therefore it’s probably going to be a rather short review.
I’ve not read a book quite like it, and while this is a great sci-fi book written by one of today’s finest authors of any genre (in my humble opinion), it actually starts out quite different and it’s not until a little way through that the sci-fi elements appear. But when they do, it’s in a really cool way, in stark contrast to the 1930’s England in which a portion of the story is set, and this is one of the things that makes this book so wonderful.
The story is told from two quite different viewpoints, one a first person account, the other a third person narrative and they combine along the way into a solid story of happiness and pain, wonder and intrigue. To say much more would probably introduce spoilers, and the synopsis probably tells as much as you need to know, so hopefully it’s sufficient enough to say that the story is told superbly and that it left me feeling very satisfied, glad that I’d invested the time reading it.
If I was forced to make comparisons, some books that I’ve read that are similar are some of Eric Brown’s other works, namely Kethani and The Serene Invasion. All of these stories have at their core some sort of benevolent alien species that can bestow wonderful yet ominous gifts upon human recipients. Like those other books, this book presents the human aspect of such wonders, how one might begin to adjust to a life of no disease or sickness and even immortality when we’re bred and conditioned to expect finite time with sickness as a fact of life. I very much wanted to be one of the characters in this book, I connected with it on such a level.
To avoid simply rambling on about how good this book is and how much enjoyment that Brown has given me yet again, I’m going to close with my usual appraisal of his work: once again Eric Brown fails to disappoint.
A must-read for any lover of story.
Concept: 4/5
Delivery: 5/5
Entertainment: 5/5
= 4.6 out of 5
I’ve not read a book quite like it, and while this is a great sci-fi book written by one of today’s finest authors of any genre (in my humble opinion), it actually starts out quite different and it’s not until a little way through that the sci-fi elements appear. But when they do, it’s in a really cool way, in stark contrast to the 1930’s England in which a portion of the story is set, and this is one of the things that makes this book so wonderful.
The story is told from two quite different viewpoints, one a first person account, the other a third person narrative and they combine along the way into a solid story of happiness and pain, wonder and intrigue. To say much more would probably introduce spoilers, and the synopsis probably tells as much as you need to know, so hopefully it’s sufficient enough to say that the story is told superbly and that it left me feeling very satisfied, glad that I’d invested the time reading it.
If I was forced to make comparisons, some books that I’ve read that are similar are some of Eric Brown’s other works, namely Kethani and The Serene Invasion. All of these stories have at their core some sort of benevolent alien species that can bestow wonderful yet ominous gifts upon human recipients. Like those other books, this book presents the human aspect of such wonders, how one might begin to adjust to a life of no disease or sickness and even immortality when we’re bred and conditioned to expect finite time with sickness as a fact of life. I very much wanted to be one of the characters in this book, I connected with it on such a level.
To avoid simply rambling on about how good this book is and how much enjoyment that Brown has given me yet again, I’m going to close with my usual appraisal of his work: once again Eric Brown fails to disappoint.
A must-read for any lover of story.
Concept: 4/5
Delivery: 5/5
Entertainment: 5/5
= 4.6 out of 5
March 1, 2012
I'm certain the Kings of Eternity fancied themselves to be quite something. The only thing I would say is they were dependably bland. I had high hopes for this book and it just didn't reach those heights. Slightly up, slightly down, but never so far in either direction to force me to keep turning pages. It was almost a book without conflict.
Even the most important choices in the book are delivered in such a way to minimize their impact. I'm not going to give anything away, but there were many times while I was reading that I thought, "that's the part I want to see! Why didn't he write that bit!?!"
One of my friends said it best when he said he wanted to read the story of the man that traveled through the rift rather than the story of those that stayed behind.
The part that I think frustrates me the most is that the writing and language use is really good. It was an easy, smooth, flowing read. Despite (or maybe because) things didn't happen to these characters I kept flying through the pages looking for something to pop up. I think this could be described as a comfortable book. No worries, things will just glide along smoothly, even when the characters should be quite upset. They'll open another liquor bottle and fix things right up!
I've got to say this book lands around two and a half stars - it was ok, but might slide right out of memory.
Even the most important choices in the book are delivered in such a way to minimize their impact. I'm not going to give anything away, but there were many times while I was reading that I thought, "that's the part I want to see! Why didn't he write that bit!?!"
One of my friends said it best when he said he wanted to read the story of the man that traveled through the rift rather than the story of those that stayed behind.
The part that I think frustrates me the most is that the writing and language use is really good. It was an easy, smooth, flowing read. Despite (or maybe because) things didn't happen to these characters I kept flying through the pages looking for something to pop up. I think this could be described as a comfortable book. No worries, things will just glide along smoothly, even when the characters should be quite upset. They'll open another liquor bottle and fix things right up!
I've got to say this book lands around two and a half stars - it was ok, but might slide right out of memory.
December 27, 2011
This is the first novel I've ever read by Eric Brown, I'm glad I bought it and I did enjoy it. I suspect Eric Brown thinks of himself as something of a literary writer, and at his best I think he probably is. It was beautifully crafted in the early and middle sections of the book, with compelling and enjoyable plot lines, and characters who were constructed with integrity - although the 'Kings' of the title did seem to spend the first half of the book consuming so much alcohol that they must have been thoroughly rat-arsed whatever they got up to - pass the brandy round again old chap! If you like your SF hard - in the style of Richard Morgan for example - you may want to give this a wide berth; it is a scientific romance rather than SF (I am sure we could debate the definitions) but on the whole very good scientific romance for all that. But the style is more ripping yarn than hard boiled.
The ending was probably the weakest part of it, one of the characters introduced later on in the book seemed to be rather hastily sketched compared to the finely drawn people we see earlier, and there was a certain predictability about the conclusion. Still a good read for all that.
The ending was probably the weakest part of it, one of the characters introduced later on in the book seemed to be rather hastily sketched compared to the finely drawn people we see earlier, and there was a certain predictability about the conclusion. Still a good read for all that.
May 26, 2014
I was looking forward to this novel after thoroughly enjoying the naïve charm of Helix. I was destined, however, to be disappointed. While Helix harked back to the classic Sci-Fi of the 50’s and 60’s, Kings of Eternity could easily have been written by H.G. Wells or Jules Verne. While the undisputed ancestors of the genre, science fiction has progressed far beyond its fairly modest infancy and, in all honesty, their works are heavy going these days (it’s a bit like Dickens – brilliant stories but really hard to read…). Kings of Eternity lacks pace, the narrative is stodgy, the characters are monolithic, the dialogue stilted and the science fiction element is almost non-existent. I’m sad to say that I skip-read great chunks of the novel in the hope that I’d get to an interesting, clever or original bit but it never happened.
If you like your science fiction naïve, simple and old-fashioned, then Eric Brown is your man. If, on the other hand, you like your sci-fi hard, original, thought provoking and operatic then steer clear. I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy it at all, but then, it would be a dull world if we all liked the same thing.
If you like your science fiction naïve, simple and old-fashioned, then Eric Brown is your man. If, on the other hand, you like your sci-fi hard, original, thought provoking and operatic then steer clear. I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy it at all, but then, it would be a dull world if we all liked the same thing.
March 10, 2015
I found this book on the new sci-fi shelves of Barnes and Noble, and I was intrigued, because it didn't seem to be your typical scifi. I've also been looking for books that treat time travel in some way, although this one didn't exactly. While I enjoyed it, I didn't adore it. It felt a little bit more like a short story than a novel to me, even though it was long. But I don't mean that as an insult. I haven't fully processed it yet, to be able to explain that impression. The main protagonist was a man (and the author is obviously a man) and even though I don't mind books with a male POV, this book felt very "male" to me. Not a raging testosterone male, just male and I feel like maybe that kept me at a distance somehow. It had an interesting premise - and I liked the fact that the main character was a writer! And I loved the settings in Greece and England.
January 21, 2013
I usually love Eric Brown, but I found this one slow to get into. There were a few great scenes that kept me reading, but it was not until about page 200 that I really got into the story.
1935 - some friends get together to investigate strange things in Hopton Wood. They find and help a strange creature from another world which changes their lives. (I was not as interested in the background life of Jonathon Langham - jealous of Carla, his girlfriend, to the point of breaking the relationship apart, and the illness of his father.)
1999 - follows the reclusive life of the novelist, Daniel Langham, on a Greek island. Writing while hiding away. He is interested in a new neighbour, and avoiding the Englishman writing about him. (I did find this love affair - if you can call it that - much more interesting.)
In the end, it is a love story. I did like it.
1935 - some friends get together to investigate strange things in Hopton Wood. They find and help a strange creature from another world which changes their lives. (I was not as interested in the background life of Jonathon Langham - jealous of Carla, his girlfriend, to the point of breaking the relationship apart, and the illness of his father.)
1999 - follows the reclusive life of the novelist, Daniel Langham, on a Greek island. Writing while hiding away. He is interested in a new neighbour, and avoiding the Englishman writing about him. (I did find this love affair - if you can call it that - much more interesting.)
In the end, it is a love story. I did like it.
May 30, 2012
It is very rare indeed that, after finishing a book, I return to page 1 and re-read it straightaway. After all, with so many books still sitting on my unread shelf, there's always plenty to pick from.
I returned to page 1 of Kings of Eternity, pausing only to reflect on what a terrific read this book is. Jumping around in time and space, and most importantly populating the story with characters you want to meet for real and shake by the hand.
There are echoes of Wyndham and Baxter and Clarke, and a splash of Durrell too.
If this was a symphony and not a book the whole audience would be on its feet stamping and clapping and shouting for more.
I might just go back for a third read tonight.
I returned to page 1 of Kings of Eternity, pausing only to reflect on what a terrific read this book is. Jumping around in time and space, and most importantly populating the story with characters you want to meet for real and shake by the hand.
There are echoes of Wyndham and Baxter and Clarke, and a splash of Durrell too.
If this was a symphony and not a book the whole audience would be on its feet stamping and clapping and shouting for more.
I might just go back for a third read tonight.
August 16, 2016
Another great novel by Eric even though I have not read many, if any, scientific romances before which made it a different read for me who usually reads space operas, hard sf and adventure sf.
This novel further impressed me with Eric's diversification as a writer as he has shown again his ability to write outside of more than just one or two SF sub-genres by focusing more on his characters and plot development.
Perhaps if this novel would have been published as a hardcover with a less "spacey" cover it may have reached a wider mainstream audience.
This novel further impressed me with Eric's diversification as a writer as he has shown again his ability to write outside of more than just one or two SF sub-genres by focusing more on his characters and plot development.
Perhaps if this novel would have been published as a hardcover with a less "spacey" cover it may have reached a wider mainstream audience.
November 20, 2011
A very Wellsian book, and none the worse for it. The main story set in the 1930s is redolent with the phraseolgy, the quips, the way of thinking which you get when reading HG Wells. The interplay between the modern and the old are delicately played out. A really satisfying read.
March 12, 2015
An easy read (5 hours) and a likeable story. The first 100 or so pages (of 367)do not drag but after that the story really takes a different turn while holding onto the initial plotline. A good solid adventure.
May 19, 2011
This book really is quite special. Beautifully written, mature, thoughtful, exciting, moving - it reads like Any Human Heart rewritten by HG Wells and Lawrence Durrell. Amazing.
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