Matter by Iain M. Banks

This was February's book group selection.

Matter is set in the Culture Universe, which I find to be absolutely fascinating. The background of
this book is, Sursamen is a Shellworld, a multi-level world created by beings long since gone and populated by a mixture of humans and aliens. At it's core resides the World God, and ancient being that just hangs out.

Prince Ferbin is dragged off to war against the Ninth by his father, King Holse. The battle goes badly and Ferbin flees only to witness the brutal death of his Father at the hands of a traitor. Ferbin flees again, knowing his life is forfeit if he shows his face at court. However, by running he knows he puts his younger brother in peril, but it's the only chance he has of saving Oramen.

Accompanied by his steadfast servant, Holse, Ferbin makes his way to the surface and goes in quest of two people who may be willing to help him avenge his fathers death and save Oraman: one is the person who brought them the technology and the other is his sister, gone 15 years now in service to the Culture.

I'm simplifying greatly here. The concepts that Banks brings to a Culture book are just amazing. The Culture ships are back with their quirks and personalities. We are introduced to Special Circumstances, an organization that likes to nudge developing societies along. We come across a galaxy full of aliens with their own agendas and power struggles who merely tolerate the humans. I also thought Matter was a better read than the Algebraist. The Algebraist, while fascinating, was a slog through a peat bog. Matter was more of a slog through a partially frozen peat bog.

Meaning, these are not quick reads. But I highly recommend them.