What do you think?
Rate this book
Nimbus
A travelogue through a world where no one and nothing is truly what it appears to be, this novel is another tour de force of extrapolation and SF magic by an author whose invention and energy are rapidly earning him a name in the field. Jablokov is the acclaimed author of A Deeper Sea.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
1 person is currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Jablokov
83 books31 followersAlexander Jablokov writes science fiction for readers who won't give up literate writing or vivid characters to get the thrills they demand. He is a natural transition for non-SF readers interested in taking a stroll with a dangerous AI or a neurosurgeon/jazz musician turned detective, while still giving hardcore SF fans speculative flash, incomprehensible aliens, and kitchen appliances with insect wing cases.
From his well-regarded first novel, Carve the Sky, an interplanetary espionage novel set in a culturally complex 25th century, through the obscenely articulate dolphins with military modifications of a Deeper Sea, the hardboiled post-cyberpunk of Nimbus, the subterranean Martian repression of River of Dust, and the perverse space opera of Deepdrive, he has come to Brain Thief, a contemporary high-tech thriller with a class clown attitude.
From his well-regarded first novel, Carve the Sky, an interplanetary espionage novel set in a culturally complex 25th century, through the obscenely articulate dolphins with military modifications of a Deeper Sea, the hardboiled post-cyberpunk of Nimbus, the subterranean Martian repression of River of Dust, and the perverse space opera of Deepdrive, he has come to Brain Thief, a contemporary high-tech thriller with a class clown attitude.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 24, 2010
Man, these star ratings just defeat me. I want to give this 4.5 stars for craftsmanship and use of language, and 3.0 stars on plot mechanics.
I bought this not long after it first came out, around '93 or so, but never got around to reading it. I guess I wasn't in the mood for it back in the early 90s; I tried once or twice but never got past the first chapter. (Having finished it, I think now I know why.) But the book stayed in my collection throughout countless moves, and I guess it always sort of intrigued me, because I'd always wanted to give it another shot.
Then, at the Boskone convention this past year, I had a chance to see Jablokov on a couple of panels. He struck me as professional, smart, and thoughtful, so Nimbus went back on my reading pile. I'm so pleased it did. And I'm glad I gave it another chance.
At a sentence and prose level, I find this author to be a superb craftsman. I can see why his work in the early 90s received so much critical praise within the genre-- his prose approaches a nearly Zelazny-esque level in places (the highest praise this reader can give) with its ability to constantly surprise with unexpected word choice and description. For example, a character who dispassionately relates a painful memory is described as holding the memory "with fire tongs." Passersby on the street wear "razorslick organiform" clothing, which is the hottest new thing from the "curling edge" of tech and fashion.
So, for that reason alone, I'll be reading and studying more Jablokov. 'Cause I kind of want to be him when I grow up. Or at least to figure out how he does what he does.
Delightful characterization, too. The book is populated with complex, multifaceted people and sophisticated relationships. The dialog between a former husband and wife is infused with the entire history of their failed marriage without ever bringing that to the fore-- they have an emotional shorthand, as they would in read life. A potential love interest is introduced in just a few paragraphs, but with such vibrancy and clarity that her entry to the story was seared into my brain by the simple act of removing her shoes. Gosh.
Plotwise, however, I'll summarize my misgivings by paraphrasing a piece of wisdom from another writer I know: There's nothing wrong with this book that couldn't be fixed with the occasional simple, declarative sentence. Well, "wrong" is too strong-- that sounds like I'm passing judgement from Mount Olympus. And I really liked this. But because I'm easily confused and easily distracted, I did lose the breadcrumb trail of the plot within the lush forest of worldbuilding. (Or, you know, some metaphor that actually makes sense.)
There's nothing wrong or taboo about occasionally telling the reader what is going on. I'm not asking for infodumps (though I'll add that the taboo against those is misguided, because a well-performed infodump can become as invisible as the words "the" and "said"). Just, once in a while, a few lines clarifying the world and the situation.
For example, I didn't need to know the entire history of the Devolution Wars. But I did need (and never got) a clear explanation of the relationship between the wartime activities of Project Nimbus and the current state of the world. How much of the protagonist's present-day world stemmed from advances spurred by Nimbus? In other words, why was it so bloody important?
Yes, I know that a really tight POV, whether 1st or 3rd person, would in theory never reflect upon the surrounding environment except to note digressions from the ordinary. And that therefore, the reasoning goes, all background information and worldbuilding must be conveyed to the reader with maximum subtlety, through the art of "incluing". And I'm a fan of artful incluing, really I am. But that's just one tool in the toolbox. And the most important thing is keeping the reader grounded in the story, not technical acrobatics. Good information control is vital, and sometimes that can mean giving the reader a piece of information when he or she is ready and eager for it.
It's not that I'm lazy. I enjoy piecing together the world when I read science fiction-- it's one of the things I read SF for. But there has to be some balance. Otherwise, the story presents the interested reader with a barrier to entry that may be too high for that person at that particular time. That's what stopped me from reading this 17 years ago.
I bought this not long after it first came out, around '93 or so, but never got around to reading it. I guess I wasn't in the mood for it back in the early 90s; I tried once or twice but never got past the first chapter. (Having finished it, I think now I know why.) But the book stayed in my collection throughout countless moves, and I guess it always sort of intrigued me, because I'd always wanted to give it another shot.
Then, at the Boskone convention this past year, I had a chance to see Jablokov on a couple of panels. He struck me as professional, smart, and thoughtful, so Nimbus went back on my reading pile. I'm so pleased it did. And I'm glad I gave it another chance.
At a sentence and prose level, I find this author to be a superb craftsman. I can see why his work in the early 90s received so much critical praise within the genre-- his prose approaches a nearly Zelazny-esque level in places (the highest praise this reader can give) with its ability to constantly surprise with unexpected word choice and description. For example, a character who dispassionately relates a painful memory is described as holding the memory "with fire tongs." Passersby on the street wear "razorslick organiform" clothing, which is the hottest new thing from the "curling edge" of tech and fashion.
So, for that reason alone, I'll be reading and studying more Jablokov. 'Cause I kind of want to be him when I grow up. Or at least to figure out how he does what he does.
Delightful characterization, too. The book is populated with complex, multifaceted people and sophisticated relationships. The dialog between a former husband and wife is infused with the entire history of their failed marriage without ever bringing that to the fore-- they have an emotional shorthand, as they would in read life. A potential love interest is introduced in just a few paragraphs, but with such vibrancy and clarity that her entry to the story was seared into my brain by the simple act of removing her shoes. Gosh.
Plotwise, however, I'll summarize my misgivings by paraphrasing a piece of wisdom from another writer I know: There's nothing wrong with this book that couldn't be fixed with the occasional simple, declarative sentence. Well, "wrong" is too strong-- that sounds like I'm passing judgement from Mount Olympus. And I really liked this. But because I'm easily confused and easily distracted, I did lose the breadcrumb trail of the plot within the lush forest of worldbuilding. (Or, you know, some metaphor that actually makes sense.)
There's nothing wrong or taboo about occasionally telling the reader what is going on. I'm not asking for infodumps (though I'll add that the taboo against those is misguided, because a well-performed infodump can become as invisible as the words "the" and "said"). Just, once in a while, a few lines clarifying the world and the situation.
For example, I didn't need to know the entire history of the Devolution Wars. But I did need (and never got) a clear explanation of the relationship between the wartime activities of Project Nimbus and the current state of the world. How much of the protagonist's present-day world stemmed from advances spurred by Nimbus? In other words, why was it so bloody important?
Yes, I know that a really tight POV, whether 1st or 3rd person, would in theory never reflect upon the surrounding environment except to note digressions from the ordinary. And that therefore, the reasoning goes, all background information and worldbuilding must be conveyed to the reader with maximum subtlety, through the art of "incluing". And I'm a fan of artful incluing, really I am. But that's just one tool in the toolbox. And the most important thing is keeping the reader grounded in the story, not technical acrobatics. Good information control is vital, and sometimes that can mean giving the reader a piece of information when he or she is ready and eager for it.
It's not that I'm lazy. I enjoy piecing together the world when I read science fiction-- it's one of the things I read SF for. But there has to be some balance. Otherwise, the story presents the interested reader with a barrier to entry that may be too high for that person at that particular time. That's what stopped me from reading this 17 years ago.
January 27, 2020
Prepare yourself. This book is a slow burn with dialogue that feels scripted from a noir movie. However, the overarching story is suspenseful and satisfying.
November 12, 2022
Eine ältere Rezension:
"Juwelen des Himmels" ist der Romanerstling eines hierzulande unbekannten Autors. In den USA hat Alexander Jablokov schon seinen zweiten Roman sowie einige SF-Erzählungen vor allem in Isaac Asimovs Science Fiction-Magazine veröffentlicht und arbeitet zur Zeit an seinem dritten.
Die Handlung ist im 24. Jahrhundert angesiedelt. Alle größeren festen Himmelskörper des Sonnensystems sind besiedelt. Zwei Machtblöcke haben sich - wieder einmal - installiert: Die Union der inneren Himmelskörper Mond Mars und Erde sowie die Allianz der Bewohner der Saturn- und Jupitermonde. Anton Lundgren, Haushofmeister bei einem einflussreichen Richter und Agent des äußeren Sicherheit, gerät eine Figurine eines namhaften Künstlers, die auf die Existenz eines großen Brockens eines sehr kostbaren und wichtigen Minerals hinweist, in die Hände. Dieses künstliche Mineral wurde von einer raumfahrenden Spezies im Sonnensystem zurückgelassen. Er erhält den Auftrag, danach zu suchen. Doch nicht nur die Union ist daran interessiert, auch die academia sapientiae, eine Organisation, die mit ihrem Wissen die Verhältnisse auf der Erde beeinflusst, sowie der Geheimdienst der Allianz. Vanessa Karageorge, ein junges Mitglied der academia sapientiae hat die Handlung erst ein Rollen gebracht, indem sie ein Treffen, bei dem ihr die Figurine übergeben werden sollte, vermasselt hat. Auch sie wird auf die Sache angesetzt. Im Lauf der Handlung - man kann es sich bei diesen Sympathieträgern fast schon ausrechnen - kommen sie und Anton immer näher.
Die Spur führt über die Kunstwerke des tot geglaubten Künstlers. Eine scheinbar aufgelöste Sekte, die sogenannten verlorenen Brüder Christi, scheint mit ihren Kenntnissen dabei auch eine Rolle zu spielen. Sie hat sich zum Ziel genommen, Gott mit Hilfe der Kunst aus seiner Schöpfung zu befreien. Die Suche nach dem Künstler und seinem kostbaren Schatz führt über mehrere Stationen der Erde, zum Mond und schließlich zum Asteroidengürtel. Schließlich kommt es dort zum Finale, zur entscheidenden Konfrontation der Gruppen.
Jablokov schildert alles mit großem Einfallsreichtum, wenngleich der ökonomisch politische Hintergrund ausgeblendet bleibt. Er zeigt auch großes Interesse an der Kunst, was sich im Roman positiv auswirkt, denn dadurch gewinnt er an Tiefe.
Der Roman ist sehr geschickt aufgebaut, man erfährt immer wieder ein kleines Stückchen mehr, bis zum Schluss bleibt der Roman spannend. Die Figuren sind sehr differenziert geschildert, so dass sie das Interesse des Lesers erwecken. Jablokov hat sein Wissen sehr gut eingebaut. Das Handlungsmuster ist im Grunde sehr konventionell, man kennt es aus vielen Agenten- und Abenteuer-Romanen. Hier scheint Jablokov bei seinem Erstling auf Nummer sicher gegangen zu sein. Doch wie er es ausgefüllt hat, das verrät sein Talent. Die Schilderung einer Treibjagd in den Korridoren und Plätzen der Mondsiedlung Clavius, in der Privaträume als Biotope angelegt sind, kann man als kleines Kabinettstück bezeichnen. Auch die mysteriöse Sekte und ihre Ideologie vermag zu faszinieren. Wie dies dann alles am Ende in die Aussicht auf interstellare Raumfahrt mündet, ist weniger originell. Da zollt Jablokov dem Geist der traditionellen SF fast schon pflichtschuldig seine Referenz. Vielleicht fiel ihm auch keine andere erstrebenswerte Sache ein, und interstellare Raumfahrt vermag die SF-Gemeinde immer noch zu interessieren.
Wenn sich Jablokov von den Konventionen und dem altehrwürdigen Gedankengut noch stärker löst, dann kann man ihm noch viel erwarten. Sein zweiter Roman wird in wenigen Monaten in deutscher Übersetzung vorliegen.
"Juwelen des Himmels" ist der Romanerstling eines hierzulande unbekannten Autors. In den USA hat Alexander Jablokov schon seinen zweiten Roman sowie einige SF-Erzählungen vor allem in Isaac Asimovs Science Fiction-Magazine veröffentlicht und arbeitet zur Zeit an seinem dritten.
Die Handlung ist im 24. Jahrhundert angesiedelt. Alle größeren festen Himmelskörper des Sonnensystems sind besiedelt. Zwei Machtblöcke haben sich - wieder einmal - installiert: Die Union der inneren Himmelskörper Mond Mars und Erde sowie die Allianz der Bewohner der Saturn- und Jupitermonde. Anton Lundgren, Haushofmeister bei einem einflussreichen Richter und Agent des äußeren Sicherheit, gerät eine Figurine eines namhaften Künstlers, die auf die Existenz eines großen Brockens eines sehr kostbaren und wichtigen Minerals hinweist, in die Hände. Dieses künstliche Mineral wurde von einer raumfahrenden Spezies im Sonnensystem zurückgelassen. Er erhält den Auftrag, danach zu suchen. Doch nicht nur die Union ist daran interessiert, auch die academia sapientiae, eine Organisation, die mit ihrem Wissen die Verhältnisse auf der Erde beeinflusst, sowie der Geheimdienst der Allianz. Vanessa Karageorge, ein junges Mitglied der academia sapientiae hat die Handlung erst ein Rollen gebracht, indem sie ein Treffen, bei dem ihr die Figurine übergeben werden sollte, vermasselt hat. Auch sie wird auf die Sache angesetzt. Im Lauf der Handlung - man kann es sich bei diesen Sympathieträgern fast schon ausrechnen - kommen sie und Anton immer näher.
Die Spur führt über die Kunstwerke des tot geglaubten Künstlers. Eine scheinbar aufgelöste Sekte, die sogenannten verlorenen Brüder Christi, scheint mit ihren Kenntnissen dabei auch eine Rolle zu spielen. Sie hat sich zum Ziel genommen, Gott mit Hilfe der Kunst aus seiner Schöpfung zu befreien. Die Suche nach dem Künstler und seinem kostbaren Schatz führt über mehrere Stationen der Erde, zum Mond und schließlich zum Asteroidengürtel. Schließlich kommt es dort zum Finale, zur entscheidenden Konfrontation der Gruppen.
Jablokov schildert alles mit großem Einfallsreichtum, wenngleich der ökonomisch politische Hintergrund ausgeblendet bleibt. Er zeigt auch großes Interesse an der Kunst, was sich im Roman positiv auswirkt, denn dadurch gewinnt er an Tiefe.
Der Roman ist sehr geschickt aufgebaut, man erfährt immer wieder ein kleines Stückchen mehr, bis zum Schluss bleibt der Roman spannend. Die Figuren sind sehr differenziert geschildert, so dass sie das Interesse des Lesers erwecken. Jablokov hat sein Wissen sehr gut eingebaut. Das Handlungsmuster ist im Grunde sehr konventionell, man kennt es aus vielen Agenten- und Abenteuer-Romanen. Hier scheint Jablokov bei seinem Erstling auf Nummer sicher gegangen zu sein. Doch wie er es ausgefüllt hat, das verrät sein Talent. Die Schilderung einer Treibjagd in den Korridoren und Plätzen der Mondsiedlung Clavius, in der Privaträume als Biotope angelegt sind, kann man als kleines Kabinettstück bezeichnen. Auch die mysteriöse Sekte und ihre Ideologie vermag zu faszinieren. Wie dies dann alles am Ende in die Aussicht auf interstellare Raumfahrt mündet, ist weniger originell. Da zollt Jablokov dem Geist der traditionellen SF fast schon pflichtschuldig seine Referenz. Vielleicht fiel ihm auch keine andere erstrebenswerte Sache ein, und interstellare Raumfahrt vermag die SF-Gemeinde immer noch zu interessieren.
Wenn sich Jablokov von den Konventionen und dem altehrwürdigen Gedankengut noch stärker löst, dann kann man ihm noch viel erwarten. Sein zweiter Roman wird in wenigen Monaten in deutscher Übersetzung vorliegen.
November 1, 2017
How is this out of print? this is one of those books where I wish I was not so generous with my five star reviews, as it really is a cut above. It's not on Kindle, so quotes are harder, but the man has a way with words.
But seriously, this sort of thing makes me want to start offering my services as a technical "water carrier" to authors like this. I mean, I would be honored to format this sort of thing for the kindle, and at that point, even if it's a niche book, there's no reason to not keep the kindle edition in print.
Incidentally, this was the first time I was able to really sink my teeth into a book while working out; I finished the last third this afternoon, pumping away at some cardio machine in the work gym. I mean, maybe paper is a better form factor for that? or maybe the book was just more engaging than anything else I've read on the treadmill
But seriously, this sort of thing makes me want to start offering my services as a technical "water carrier" to authors like this. I mean, I would be honored to format this sort of thing for the kindle, and at that point, even if it's a niche book, there's no reason to not keep the kindle edition in print.
Incidentally, this was the first time I was able to really sink my teeth into a book while working out; I finished the last third this afternoon, pumping away at some cardio machine in the work gym. I mean, maybe paper is a better form factor for that? or maybe the book was just more engaging than anything else I've read on the treadmill
March 25, 2025
Some settings seemed to switch too fast sometimes and there were a lot of words that Im guessing were made up. A tough read . I did like some of the medical terminologies mentioned . The ending scene with the MCs ex wife .. was wild . Laughed at how crazy it was . The characters felt like there was something lacking . Some of it was fun and exciting but mostly felt like I was out of touch with it . I was born in 1996 . Some of those words they had in it turned my brain to soup. RIP to the author though he had an interesting take with this book . Was kinda fun to read out loud sometimes!
September 20, 2025
The ghosts of their past come back to haunt the ex-members of a secret brain hacking military unit.
September 4, 2013
Nimbus
is where science fiction meets mystery. Years ago, during the Devolution Wars, Peter Ambrose and seven others were part of the highly top-secret Nimbus group, which was involved in mind control experiments. After the wars the group went their separate ways and Peter actually had pieces of his Nimbus memories blocked. Now someone is methodically killing off the members of the group, launching Peter on a terrifying mission to find out who and why.
You don’t often come across novels that blend science fiction and mystery together, and it’s even more rare to find one that does it so well. And a pretty good mystery it is. Jablokov keeps us guessing as Ambrose uncovers the clues that lead him deeper and deeper into danger. Jablokov’s characters are well developed and interesting, and his plot, while a little hard to grab hold of at first, eventually started hitting on all cylinders and finished like a champ.
Narrator Colby Elliott turns in a good performance on Nimbus . I would like to hear him slow down a little while reading, but for the most part his narration is pretty solid and he differentiates the characters just enough so that you can tell them apart. Elliott is a Nebraska native and is also the founder and owner of Last Word Audio.
Steven Brandt @ Audiobook-Heaven
You don’t often come across novels that blend science fiction and mystery together, and it’s even more rare to find one that does it so well. And a pretty good mystery it is. Jablokov keeps us guessing as Ambrose uncovers the clues that lead him deeper and deeper into danger. Jablokov’s characters are well developed and interesting, and his plot, while a little hard to grab hold of at first, eventually started hitting on all cylinders and finished like a champ.
Narrator Colby Elliott turns in a good performance on Nimbus . I would like to hear him slow down a little while reading, but for the most part his narration is pretty solid and he differentiates the characters just enough so that you can tell them apart. Elliott is a Nebraska native and is also the founder and owner of Last Word Audio.
Steven Brandt @ Audiobook-Heaven
June 12, 2021
Still a solid novel, though it's hilarious reading sci-fi novels based in fictional futures set in a time period you're currently living in. Sadly 2021 is not as advanced as this book's version. Still, always enjoyed this novel.
June 1, 2014
Good imagery.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews