[qubex]

I'd never heard of Charlie Stross or his Accelerando book. Thanks for mentioning that, it looks right up my hard-sci-fi alley.

[vsviridov]

Then definitely also check out the Quantum Thief trilogy, by Hannu Rajaniemi.

[eridius]

Amusingly, the cover of The Quantum Thief (at least on iBooks) has the following quote:

> "The best first SF novel I've read in years. Hard to admit, but I think he's better at this stuff than I am." -Charles Stross

[moomin]

I remain completely unmoved by HR's output. But I'm most definitely in the minority.

[okreallywtf]

Seconded, in the beginning it almost has a fantasy vibe since what it describes for the most part is so advanced it almost seems magical, but stick with it because it is fantastic.

[moomin]

He actually posts on here from time to time...

He's fairly prolific and very talented. The only one of his books I wouldn't particularly recommend is his first. The sequel's great, though.

Many of his straight up thrillers e.g. Saturn's Children have well realised universes they inhabit.