Dark Diamond

Time's Shadow #1

by Neal Asher

Doomed to die. And die again.
Dark Diamond is the first in a high-octane space opera trilogy from Neal Asher, creator of the Polity universe.

Captain Blite knows that someone, or something, is trying to kill him. But a device he possesses, known only as the dark diamond, won't let that happen. After surviving a series of catastrophic accidents and assassination attempts, Blite realizes that whenever he dies the dark diamond reverses time to a moment before his death. He must go through the traumatic experience again and again until he escapes.

Every encounter Blite survives generates a time flash which reveals potential futures. This extraordinary phenomenon attracts the attention of Polity agents and the crab-like p-Prador who wish to acquire this power for themselves. Hunted across space and time, Blite must uncover the true nature of the dark diamond before it causes his destruction . . .

Praise for Neal Asher

'Neal Asher's books are like an adrenaline shot targeted directly at the brain' – John Scalzi, author of Old Man's War

'Non-stop action and unimaginable stakes' – Yoon Ha Lee on The Soldier

'Imaginative, energetic and insane' – SFX on Brass Man

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Space Opera, Fiction, Adult

703 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 10, 2025

About the author

I’ve been an engineer, barman, skip lorry driver, coalman, boat window manufacturer, contract grass cutter and builder. Now I write science fiction books, and am slowly getting over the feeling that someone is going to find me out, and can call myself a writer without wincing and ducking my head. As professions go, I prefer this one: I don’t have to clock-in, change my clothes after work, nor scrub sensitive parts of my body with detergent. I think I’ll hang around.

Source: http://www.blogger.com/profile/139339...

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story was interesting but the book finished with an ode to the world’s richest fascist which tainted the whole read for me.

[Mike Boyson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pan Macmillan needs to review Neal’s love song to Elon. Perhaps consider how he is standing up to totalitarianism

[Abruma · Rating 1 out of 5]

A dedication to Elon Musk should've been warning enough. The book immediately entered in what has become Neal Asher's formulaic for his novels of hyper-intense space battles. But now, new and improved with toxic masculinity. As soon as I came across the reference to a woman with "heavy jugs" I knew I was finished.

[stephen m newberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat disappointing. Asher used to do really fine work. About half a dozen books ago or so he started just phoning it in. This most recent start of a new group is better than that last half dozen, but only a bit. He keep sticking to characters that have been along for the ride forever and trying to turn bad guys into good guys, be he is just not really a good enough writer to make that work. And this time around the book is not even a complete novel. It just stops in the middle of the story. Asher's first decade or so of writing had him looking like he was going to be a replacement for Iain Banks, though not as excellent a writer, but since then it has really just not worked out, which is most unfortunate.

[Reuben Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Diamond is a stellar return to the Polity universe… fast-paced, richly layered, and packed with the high-concept tech and brutal action Asher fans expect. What stood out most for me was the return of familiar characters who’ve shaped this universe in critical ways. Seeing them back in action added depth and emotional weight, reinforcing the continuity of Asher’s broader narrative arc.

The stakes are high, the pacing relentless, and the scale immense… but it’s the character-driven moments, the callbacks, and the interconnectedness that truly elevated this one.

A solid 5/5! essential reading for anyone invested in the Polity saga. Asher delivers, again.

[Adah Udechukwu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel was longer than I expected but I enjoyed it. All major characters made the novel to be worth my time

[Peter Tillman]

The paean to Elon Musk was an immediate turnoff. I'll pass on this one.

[Owen Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

bloody amazing - Asher back to his best!

riveting reading from cover to cover - and very excited that its the first in a trilogy!

[Erik Martenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Diamond

Dark Diamond is (at the moment) the newest novel by sci-fi overlord Neal Asher. It’s the first in a new trilogy, and it contains every aspect of his world we have all come to love: The Prador, cool war drones, lethal androids, and our favorite agent, Ian Cormac. This 700 page brick is filled with action, suspense, and mind-wrenching twists. You’ll love it!

[Jesse Ward-Bond · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting at first. The setting was a mix of classic space opera and AI futurism, which was new to me. After a few hundred pages, I realized the setting was just a tool for the author to write one continuous overly-masculine fantasy action sequences.

There was a point, early in the book, where a character thought something along the lines of "I liked her large boobs". The author actually said "boobs". Is this progressive? Describing things so bluntly instead of hedging around "womanly mounds" or something male-fantasy-author-pilled like that?

Turns out no. Not offensive, not egregious (for me), but definitely not the mark of a progressive author! *shrug*

[Andy Venn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings back my favourite characters, Ian Cormac and Mr Crane. I have always enjoyed the Polity story arc, the others are good too but I preferred this.
However, where the earlier Polity novels were quite basic, in a way, this benefits from Neal's development with other storylines. it is more complex than the earlier novels which gives it an extra dimension. It develops the idea that the AI's are not perfect and are subject to the same petty motives that drive humans.
it's nicely left open for a follow up as well. I shall look forward to that.

[Tomáš Wünsch · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea: "characters" are 2D caricatures of any má without depth or reality checks.
Boring, self-serving "battles" and nothing else happening on the story development side.
technology is here just to "crush things H A A A R D"!
Evolution just for those without any ethic and universe building is just to show off.

[Mark Visser · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve been a Neal Asher fan for decades. I read Gridlinked soon after it came out and every book he’s written from thence on. I’m a fan. I loved Mr. Crane and Erlin Tazer Three Indomial and the Old Captains and the Prador outcasts. Even Ian Cormac was fun, if a bit too James Bond-y.

But I couldn’t help but notice that something changed in his writing a while back. Something was just… missing. Lockdown Tales felt like a reversion to form - I quite enjoyed the stories. But this… I’m 10% in and:

Her long blonde hair was in a plait coiled at the back of her head. She was showing more than a little of her large boobs, pressed up now by her tightly folded arms. And she still looked as if she could tear someone’s head off.

Wtf? And a bit later:

“Station grav interferes with U-space jumps, which is why we need to be clear of it before jumping,” said Paidon - a black-haired beauty who knew more about drive technology than anyone he’d ever met.

These are his employees the narrator is referring to. Gross.

The love letter to the world’s richest fascist as a prologue doesn’t help, either.

I’m going to forge on, but this reads more like Neal Asher fan-fiction than the Neal Asher I loved. I knew he’d fallen into the alt-right rabbit hole, but I thought he was smart enough to pull himself out. I guess not.

Edit: I finished, and oh boy was that a slog. Sorry Neal, this book is just bad.

[Noémie J. Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to this new series, and I pre ordered the paperback as soon as I was able to. It seems a new trend for Neal to write longer books (from 400 pages to almost 700), and while I do think it, at times, could have been cut short (500 is his sweet spot, I think), I still had a lovely time with this. There's everything from his previous work that I loved - Cormac, Penny Royal, human eating patriarchal mega shrimps. So if you're already a fan of his work, I guess it would be right up your alley, as it was mine. Cannot wait for Dark Agents, and for more of Neal. He is one of my faves, and I love his stories !

[Mr Peter J Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long with disappointing ending

I usually love Neal Asher’s work, but this one was a great disappointment. Whilst it brings back Ian Cormac and the Mr Crane, along with other old favourites, the story takes a long time to get anywhere. Without adding spoilers, the ending is very disappointing, being very abrupt. Maybe it’s supposed to be a cliffhanger for a sequel, but it just feels the author got to an arbitrary word limit and stopped. The story does end, and logically with the story, but left a feeling of dissatisfaction.

[Stephen Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Neal "skein of optics" Asher has become a ChatGPT Tom Clancy wankathon parody of himself.

I have virtually all of his books in hardcover, but I'm not going any further with him.

His obvious shift towards conspiracy loon thinking doesn't help either. Disappointing.

His earlier books had the same dodgy qualities, but at a *much* lower level and were genuinely enjoyable. But I'm not enjoying this anymore. Perhaps he's gone as far as he can go with the Polity, and should try something new?

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on audiobook. This story is not for the faint hearted and more suited to the hardcore Neal Asher fans familiar with Agent Cormac and the Polity. Looking forward to a Penny Royal showdown in the future. A bit of a misstep name checking Elon/Space X at the end whose a divisive figure at best, something the editors could have advised against.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A return to Cormac and the Asher of old

Much more like the Asher of old - found myself unable to put it down and coming back for more. Particularly fun to have more insight and return to Cormac especially with expanded powers/skills.

[kym hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic, Neal Asher. Spoiler alert!....................It's

IT'S A TRILOGY! Today is my birthday, and finding out, at the end of the book, that this is another trilogy is the best gift ever!

[Zeke Zimonick · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time we have seen Cormac in a while. I enjoyed it.

[Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

too many characters and threads, some of them in different places in the timeline.

[Jochen Potzkoten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Konsequent steigert Asher die Zerstörungsorgie weiter. Die Story ist spannend und schnell. Leider spielt darin meine persönliche Nemesis eine große Rolle: Zeitreise 😵‍💫

[James Delahunty · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all I have no issue with the prose the authors work seems fine if not really my style. But going into this book I had not expected it to lie to me. Even this goodreads page is subtly lying.

It claims to be book one of a series called Times Shadow. While this is technically true its more accurate to say its something like book 20 in an ongoing series and this entire story, from who these people are down to basic setting information, assumes you have read those previous books. There is a glossary but its very surface level information presumably to avoid spoilers for the earlier works.

Had I known that I wouldn't have bought it but nowhere on this book does it tell you that its an ongoing series. Something felt off while reading it (nothing was really being explained) so I had to look that up separately.

it's quite difficult to enjoy the story when key details are left out because you didnt read 20 other novels that it doesn't tell you exist. If you are going to call it book 1 make sure its an entry to the setting even if you include references or characters from previous works in the setting.

[Tom - Reader of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘XXX adrenaline’ is how one reviewer on the books cover noted Asher’s writing style and they are not wrong. This colossal space opera has every you can imagine and crams in a lot despite a lengthy page count.

Whilst it’s a new series there are benefits to knowing about Agent Cormac but Asher does a fantastic job of setting the scene. Perhaps the criticism for me is also the previously mentioned pros, there is quite a lot to contend with and with new characters, competing plots and quite a zippy pace it can be a lot to keep in place. But it was a worthy challenge, if you enjoy this type of book you’ll be familiar with Asher’s work and you’ll be convinced he’s onto another winner. I look forward to seeing what’s next for Time’s Shadow.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished listening to it on Audible today in one of my weekend marathon listens (4.5 hours today on Saturday 2/28). A good book. Nice start to a new series in Neal Asher's Polity post-singularity universe with the return of one of my favorite characters in science fiction Polity Agent Ian Cormac. Epic post-singularity space opera with all the bells and whistles.

I don't know if this would be the best book to use to jump into the Polity universe, though. For that, I would suggest Gridlinked instead.

[Lee Belbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is certainly an epic. It is a long and complex saga. It would be way way too long for a movie, but it would certainly make an awesome series, if done well. Special effects would be easier these days to make it sing and dance, but it would also be easy to take it ‘over the top’ where it is just all too much. Anyway, it was an entertaining read with all the old characters and many new ones thrown into the mix. Much fun.

[Zozo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have good news: mr. Asher is back!! It helped that he brought Ian Cormac and the Brass Man with him, even Penny Royal for just a heartbeat.

We have an interesting cast of characters and settings - I have my faith back.

The cliffhanger at the end was a harsh fuckyou in the face though. But ok, it happens.

[Camilla Freeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story would’ve probably gotten a 5 if it wasn’t pointlessly long and convoluted. I won’t be reading any more of Asher’s books unless they come up as an audiobook on my library app.
I agree with other readers that the Elon Musk gush at the start is also off putting.

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started ok, but then tailed off. Pages of hyper tech filler - boring..

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for Concatenation:

Neal’s been writing space opera for a while now. His blend of fast action, strange alien species and violence have been published for over 25 years by now, and with 35 (by my reckoning) published to date, it may be a little difficult to know where to start.

With that in mind, then, this actually might not be a bad place. Dark Diamond is the first in a new series and whilst it incorporates lots of characters, situations and aliens from other Asher novels, it is not essential to know all of this background detail.

What Asher does here is incorporate his trademark SF style (already mentioned) with time travel.

In Dark Diamond we meet Captain Blite, a space pirate who owns the dark diamond - a death-defying device that's coveted by powerful factions across space and time.

Blite knows that someone is trying to kill him. His device reverses time to the moment before his death and he goes through it again and again until he finds a way to escape… Each reiteration creates a time flash of alternate futures. This attracts the attention of Polity agents…

Fast paced, bone-crunchingly violent, Asher knows what his readers want and like, and delivers. Whilst the ideas are not too original, the pace is fast, the characters manage to do what is required and expected – except when they don’t – and the reader is kept guessing for much of the narrative. It is quite a big book but Asher manages to maintain the pace with a clever combination of SF tropes, identifiable characters and unusual creatures – not to mention the use of time travel itself.

Amongst all of the usual SF tropes he manages to throw a few curveballs the reader’s way. I was wrong-footed a few times by the point that Blite, like Tom Cruise before him, is able to go back in time and take an alternative timeline until he gets things the way he wants them.

Familiar readers will, like Avengers Assemble, appreciate the reappearance of characters and plotlines from other books. Although it’s not essential to know too much about their past here, there’s some nice little moments, Easter Eggs along the way that may give readers a little smile.

The set scenes of battle, both on planets and in space, are typically Asher-epic. Asher imaginatively creates super-high tech and then extrapolates this further to new levels. Weapons are thrown around planets and in space with seemingly gay abandon, people and aliens are mutated into something new, usually quite unpleasant. The level of thought and detail Asher gives to such things is seriously impressive.

The counterbalance of this is that this level of activity became a little too much for me, like a war movie with no remittance or lee-way – at times, it was actually quite exhausting. It may be that this book is too big to deal with such a situation effectively. As impressive as the elements are, 600+ plus pages of such action diminishes the overall effect for me. I remember this too with the Transformers movies – as impressively good looking as they were, it did get to the point where I was going, “What: ANOTHER robot fight?”

Nevertheless, at its basic level, Dark Diamond has the attributes of a visually stunning, all-action computer game – fast-paced, dazzling to look at, impressive in its breadth, but not too much below the surface once you pause to take a breath. To be fair, I think that Asher fans are not looking for psychological introspection here, more a case of reading about big boys (and girls) showing off their toys. Asher knows this and does this very, very well.

Alternatively, new readers may be wondering what the fuss is about.

On balance, I think that Dark Diamond is a nice reset that takes Asher’s strengths and then adds something new to the mix. As this is the first book in a new series, it will be no surprise that the book ends on a cliffhanger to be taken up in the next book - pretty much written, I understand, and due next year. After so many super-big, super-nasty, super-violent events in this one, I would be interested to read how Neal can surpass this one. I await the next book with interest.