War In Heaven

A Requiem for Homo Sapiens #3

by David Zindell

A triumphant close to The Requiem for Homo Sapiens -- an epic tour de force that began with The Broken God and was followed by The Wild. Danlo wi Soli Ringess now has the greatest mission of his life to complete. With Bertram Jaspari's evil Architects terrorising the universe with their killing star -- the morrashar -- and Hanuman's Ringists intent on converting the rest of humanity to the Way of Ringess, Danlo must somehow try to prevent War in Heaven. Behind him travels an army of lightships, commanded by the ever-larger-than-life Bardo, falling from fixed-point to fixed-point throughout the deep, dark spaces of the Vild, ready to do battle, if they must, with the Ringists' fleet, lying in ambush for them beyond the Star of Neverness. War in Heaven brings to a cataclysmic finale the most amazing and awe-inspiring journey in modern science fiction, combining the ultimate in space adventure with philosophy, mathematics, spirituality and superb characterization. It is truly the greatest romantic epic of modern sf.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Space Opera, Dying Earth, Science Fiction Fantasy

800 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 5, 1998

About the author

Biography at Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Zindell’s space opera books, that started with the stand-alone Neverness and continued with his “Requiem for Homo Sapiens” trilogy (of which this volume is the conclusion), always scratch that itch I have for Dune-like space opera. You’ve got the baroque world-building of a far, far future of humanity in an interstellar diaspora that combines elements of medieval and pre-industrial societies with ‘magical’ technology and gleaming ships that fold space; you’ve got bizarre human enclaves (sometimes almost reminiscent of Jack Vance, though with less obvious caustic humour) so that societies of warrior-poets, pilot-mathematicians, scientist-philosophers, autist-savants, and priest-kings all rub shoulders in a bewildering and colourful throng; you’ve got philosophical ruminations on the purpose of life, the tragedy of love, and the power of hate; all-in-all it's heady stuff that hits that sweet spot in my belly that little else seems able to satisfy.

I’m at a bit of a loss for how to appropriately review this book though. It’s the third book of a trilogy (the other two of which I have not reviewed) all of which are built upon the initial stand-alone book Neverness. I can’t say much about this volume’s plot without rehashing much of what came before and thus committing spoiler to the Nth degree. Perhaps plot-wise it is enough to say that our hero, Danlo wi Soli Ringess (the son of Neverness's hero Mallory Ringess), has returned from his great quest into the Vild carrying not only tidings of hope, but also of possible doom for the cosmos. Not only is a rogue star-killer ship searching for the ancient homeworld of the Order of Mystic Mathematicians and Other Seekers of the Ineffable Flame in a quest of vengeance, but the very gods themselves (super entities of moon-sized brains and ‘bodies’ that stretch across solar systems) are at war with each other, some vying to destroy, others to save, the galaxy. To top it all off Danlo’s oldest and dearest friend (also his greatest and most dangerous enemy) has taken control of the Way of Ringess, the religion that worships Danlo’s father as a god, and threatens the balance of the universe with his own mad scheme. So far, so epic, right? Well, the book more or less lives up to this potential as we move into the final phase of the story that Zindell built up over two other volumes (three including the initial story of Mallory Ringess himself).

This final volume of the story reminded me most strongly of Herbert’s work in Dune. As in the Dune series there are many ruminations on a ‘Golden Path’ for humanity and the dangers of prescience when applied to human action (though Zindell seems to have a much more optimistic take on its uses than did Herbert). Also, like Herbert’s Muad’Dib, Zindell’s Danlo (and Mallory before him) partakes of the traits of both god and man. The travails of this power, along with the ability to turn the multitudes of humanity loose in a religious frenzy upon the galaxy, are examined in Zindell’s work no less than Herbert’s (though in ways that differ enough to make this an interesting examination instead of simply a rehash). This does mean, however, that there are often times when Zindell slips too far into his pseudo-philosophical/mystical ruminations (as Herbert did himself) as Danlo finds himself continuing his own personal quest to near-godhood. I imagine it’s hard to deal with these themes, especially within the grand scale of space opera, without falling into the trap of excessive explication and over-extended internal monologues from time to time, but be aware that they are here in case that kind of thing annoys you. All in all, though, the tension of the many threads of the story is held together by a fairly quick-paced plot and world-building that truly seeps out of the pages. There is more than enough tragedy in this series to sustain several epics, and the sheer scale of the possible (and actual) destruction on display screams “SPACE OPERA!” in flashing neon...but that’s a plus in this genre. There are times too, when Zindell’s creation of a pacifist hero, while interesting in itself, can grate on the nerves (for me at least). While Danlo’s devotion to the principle of ahimsa (“Never to kill or harm another, even in thought”) may be noble, the ends to which he is apparently willing to take this principle sometimes stretched my credulity…but then maybe I’m just a cynic. Still and all if you’re in the market for truly epic space opera that tackles trans-humanism, galaxy spanning star-faring, wars to end all wars, planetoid computers, and hints of man’s progress towards godhood (and yet still manages to ruminate on things at a truly human scale: tragedies of life and death, the intertwining elements of love and hate, and the conundrum of violence vs. pacifism) then crack open the first stand-alone volume, Neverness and see what you think of the universe Zindell has created. If that wets your appetite then I would urge you to continue on with this truly kitten-squishing epic of galaxy spanning philosophical adventure.

Also posted at Shelf Inflicted

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is absolutely no way to review this book with any justice.

Suffice to say, I have to revise my top ten book list.

Mind you, I must put all four books into the pile as one long story because while they can be read individually with their own major punctuation point, there's simply no way to separate one YES, YES, YES from the rest.

What is this book, these books?

They are some of the finest Science Fiction I've ever read. It has everything.

Heart-searching, amazing worldbuilding, philosophy, amazing action, gorgeous prose, and ... even now, after having read nearly 6 thousand books in my life, even manages to CHANGE MY LIFE.

Look. I'm kinda skeptical and I take certain book-journeys with kid gloves. If a book accomplishes what it sets out to achieve, or if it is entertaining, or if I learned a ton from it, I tend to give it full marks just because it was excellent on its own terms. But then there are some books that take me by the back of my neck, stare deep into my eyes, and fill me with a soul-hungry WILDNESS that asks me that single, awesome question:

"How do you capture a beautiful bird without killing its spirit?"

THIS book is the answer.

I laughed, I cried, and I want to scream out to everyone I know... YOU MUST READ THESE!!!!

I can't say it enough. They are amazing. They should be ranked right up there with the best books of any field, not just SF or Fantasy. I say the same thing about Dune. It's not only wise and overflowing with life. It's heart-wrenching.

Don't let the fact that it's hard-SF set in a far future filled with lightships and computer gods and alien worlds. Those are for context. The heart of these books in nature of life, of the injustice of life, and how to live with it. In that respect, it's very much a classic tale.

But when you answer the question that I posed, before, it answers about three dozen other questions and it may simply blow your mind.

I think I'll be putting all four of these books in my place of pride on my bookshelf and read them over and over. Danlo is a friend I will always want by my side.

Oh, and if this isn't that clear, I need to say: OMG ya'll, FIND these, READ them. They BEG for readers.

There is serious injustice going on here. It's hard to FIND them. The publishers SCREWED the author over. These books deserve to have airtime and be gushed over by millions of readers and be subject to endless online arguments and be petitioned for movie deals. But instead, I'm afraid that they will remain forgotten and left to rot under tons of trash.

I cannot stress this enough.
These are CLASSICS. The REAL DEAL. Utterly amazing.

[Drew Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. This is one of those stories that changes the way you look upon the world in entirety. The description of this book does not do it justice in any form.

It's not some romp through the galaxy... it's an incredibly in-depth psychological dissection of the main character Danlo, mixed with amazing world and character building, alongside human interactions of a godly and emotionally intense nature.

[Arik Vlaanderen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely speechless, I hereby declare this book as my favorite book ever read. Perfect. Thank you.

[Chumofchance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with most of the reviews saying that Zindell's obsession with metaphysical discourse gets tiresome, but I still can't help but rate it highly because the series still stands as one of the best in SF and I think it's a satisying conclusion in spite of/because of its ideosyncrasies.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the sequel to Neverness, Zindell’s epic space opera continues to deliver a profound metaphysical meditation on what it means to be human.

Warning: spoiler alert!!

War in Heaven is the final book in David Zindell’s trilogy A Requiem for Homo Sapiens (1993-1998), the sequel to Neverness (1988). Danlo wi Soli Ringess has returned to in the City of Neverness on the planet Icefall to confront his arch enemy, Hanuman li Tosh who has usurped the Church of Ringess and is now the undisputed power broker in the city. Zindell’s epic space opera interrogates the pressures placed on what it means to be human in the face of ever advancing technology.

Five years after the events of The Wild (1995), Danlo returns to Neverness, sent as an envoy by the newly established Order on planet Thiels to prevent the conflict with Hanuman’s church and its allies from escalating into a full blown war. Hanuman is in the process of building a planet-sized computer to function as a vehicle for his transcendental dream. Since Danlo’s ill-fated contact with the Tannahill Architects, known as the Iviomils, Neverness is under immediate threat. The Iviomils believe there can be only one true god, Ede, and that all other attempts to achieve godhood must be thwarted.

While Hanuman and Danlo drink from the same cup by taking a leaf our of Friederich Nietzsche’s teachings – thinly veiled, Zindell never actually credits him – they end up with different solutions. From the pulpit, Hanuman teaches that man must break free from the ‘all-too-human’, look deeply within himself, find his inner will and manifest that will in the world – ‘Do what thou wilt’ is his mantra’. Danlo also believes that the path to enlightenment rests on looking inward, discovering one’s true self and manifesting that self in life. The big difference of course is that Hanuman leaves it to a computer to do all the hard work. And once his super computer is complete, his followers are meant to instantiate as virtual beings in this transcendental heaven, devoid of pain and suffering, their pleasure centres constantly stimulated with religious bliss. Nothing ever dies in Hanuman’s simulated paradise, there is need to eat, even tigers are nice. Hanuman literally is God in this world, a fatherly omnipresent entity who interferes directly in the lives of virtual beings, a virtual deus ex machina.

At this point in the novel, Zindell’s narrative starts to move along parallel tracks to Dan Simmons’ Hyperion Cantos (1989-1997). Hanuman’s promise of immortality is similar to taking the cross, the cruciform of the Catholic church in Simmons’ work. Danlo’s resistance to religious dogmatism, indeed his path to enlightenment via the Elder Eddas, is similar to Aenea’s struggle with the Catholic church and her unlocking of the secrets of the Void Which Binds. Even the enlightened states achieved by the two series’ characters are similar.

As Danlo is starting to experience visions of events that take place far away, for example an inner vision of the battles between the Fellowship fleet and the Ringist fleet, he gradually starts to unlock the secret of the Elder Eddas. He discovers that memory is interchangeable with matter, that nothing is ever lost in a Universe that records all events, remembers itself and encodes that memory in all matter. By the same token, he discovers that also consciousness is interchangeable with matter, something that allows him to heal himself simply by force of will. Ultimately, based on the premise that memory is recorded in all matter, Danlo experiences a vastening of his consciousness, interwoven with the entirety of the Universe. It follows that the source of salvation, mankind’s painful relationship with mortality, lies in understanding that nothing is ever destroyed, no one never really dies. The Elder Eddas is not racial memories as previously thought, but universal memories.

In Simmons’ Hyperion Cantos (1989-1997), the interconnectedness of the Universe and the consequent possibility of seeing and accessing events far away are loosely conveyed via String Theory’s multi-dimensional premises. This is not the case in Zindell’s work. However, it does seem safe to assume that his work is based on a similar premise, as only the existence of hidden dimensions can explain in scientific terms the ability to access planes not permissible to us in a three-dimensional Universe. Either way, the Neverness Universe (1988-1998) and Hyperion Cantos (1989-1997) both flirt with the idea of eradicating the human condition and both end up celebrating it.

[Dawn Quixote · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in Zindell's trilogy "A Requiem for Homo Sapiens". It has sat, unread, on my bookshelf for 20 years. While I'd loved book 1 (nearly as much as my favourite book, Zindell's 1st novel Neverness) I struggled to finish the 2nd volume the first time I read it and never even commenced the 3rd. Having re-read Neverness and books 1 and 2 in the last few months it made sense to attempt this one and get some closure.
It was so much better than I expected, thankfully there wasn't too much spaceship fighting (book 2 was bogged down with it). The best bits are always when the protagonist, Danlo, is interacting with others, especially his best friend/worst enemy Hanuman. Characters returned from the stars (and previous tales) and were folded back into the narrative. It's was good to have Bardo back, he's always good value.
I always loved Zindell's use of poetry and mathematics, but was disappointed that there wasn't much poetry this time. The use of the words "fearful symmetry" to describe Danlo made me smile but the word "tiger" did get overused and felt clumsy. At times the author writes like poetry, the words flow across the page and paint pictures in my mind. Unfortunately sometimes he almost writes like a child, clumsily stacking words like building bricks. Perhaps this is meant to reflect Danlo's childlike character but I think not.
The philosophies touched on in the previous novels were rounded out and explored well. Can a person truly face themselves, the universe and all it contains and say "yes"? What will one have to sacrifice in order to make this acceptance?
There was an actual proper twist at the end that I did not see coming! Definitely worth a re-read of the whole trilogy again to see if I can spot any clues or to see if it changes the way I read them. Probably not for a while though, these are hefty tomes with this book covering 791 pages. I'm off to read something a bit shorter next!

[Carl Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danlo at last returns to his beloved Neverness, desperate to prevent interstellar war across the Civilised Worlds between the devout Ringists -lead by his greatest friend and greatest enemy, Hanuman- and the breakaway New Order. And, meanwhile, Bertram Jaspari is blowing up stars...

I take my own breath away with that gross simplification of plot. Because there is almost infinitely more going on within War in Heaven's 791 pages. There is Hanuman's Universal Computer, with which he dreams of turning the universe into food to feed a perfect simulation of itself. There are more Warrior-Poets (indeed, there is the ultimate Warrior-Poet), intent on their overarching quest to destroy all would-be gods. There are lightship armadas falling against one-other in the mathematical no-space that allows dangerous passage between the stars. There is city-wide starvation and possibly the most devastating suffering of innocents I've ever read. There is the breaking of the deepest vows. There is the acceptance of life and all its wild terrors. And there is transcendence... but not into godhood, but rather into everything that a human being could possibly be.

Zindell's writing, as ever, is steeped in philosophy and mysticism. His style is lush and grand, ponderous -he's never happier than writing pages of text that cover mere seconds of real time- and often beautiful. None of these books are novels to be rushed. The reader must allow themself to drown in them, to say "yes" to all they have to offer... just like Danlo must to the universe.

Danlo the Wild, alongside Cugel the Clever, is probably my favourite ever fictional character. Neverness, the City of Pain, alongside Nessus of the Book of the New Sun, is probably my favourite ever fictional city. Neverness and the A Requiem for Homo Sapiens trilogy are amongst my all-time favourite works of fiction. Somebody adapt them for the screen, for Chrissakes.

[Tom Horst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prolix but digestable

David Zindell brings his Neverness cycle to a satisfying conclusion. Many story lines are closed, and many characters explored. We learn much more about Danlo and his universe than we wanted to know., and all the questions are answered.
My favorite book in this cycle is The Broken God, but this final book is fitting in its own way.

[Joe Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful conclusion to a great series.

Zindell bro gs things around and ties it all together in an amazingly satisfying way. But I do wish the digital book hadn't been so filled with typos.

[SFReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the last in the Requiem for Homo Sapiens trilogy, following The Broken God and The Wild. Danlo Ringess has returned to Thiells from his successful explorations of the Wild, bringing the bad news that the Iviomils, the fundamentalist wing of the Edeic Architect religion, have stolen a spaceship and the device that makes a star go supernova, and with it are likely to attack Neverness. He discovers that his enemy Hanuman has become the leader of the Ringist religion in the Civilised Worlds, and has corrupted both it and that part of the Order of Pilots that remained on Neverness. War follows, but Danlo is sent as part of an embassy to Neverness where, amongst other things, he takes part in the struggle to oppose Hanuman's plans.

Read more at SFReader: War in Heaven, by David Zindell

[Milele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really good in parts and... not entirely consistently good. I cried in the middle (any parent will know where) and thought at that point I would rate the book four stars, but ended up skimming the end. Even though the moral philosophy that is developed in the novel is one I basically already agreed with, and even though I enjoyed the lush detailed descriptions elsewhere in the book, I couldn't stay focused on the panegyrics to life and the universe that filled the book towards its end. The detailed visualization of the moral philosophy is not religious but definitely spiritual and I guess I have a low tolerance for that.

[Ainsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather disapointing end to a marvelous series. Neverness was amazing for introducing to us a grandly different universe. The Broken God carried on the tradition and married this to sympathetic characters. The Wild was an oddessey of sorts. The conclusion is okay, but by reverting to a conventional plot, the author loses that which made the series special. Still worth a read.

[Minorityof1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

like popcorn for the brain

[Chris T · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful conclusion to the trilogy.