Cover of Elysium fire

Elysium fire

by Alastair Reynolds · first published 2018

5mentions
3recommended by
5HN commenters
2019–2026first – last mentioned

60% recommend40% neutral

Ten thousand city-state habitats orbit the planet Yellowstone, forming a near perfect democratic human paradise. But even utopia has a dark side. As members of the habitats start suddenly and randomly dying, a charismatic figure begins to sow insurrection, convincing a small but growing number of inhabitants to break away from the Glitter Band.

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Mentions per year

10 2007: 0 mentions2008: 0 mentions2009: 0 mentions2010: 0 mentions2011: 0 mentions2012: 0 mentions2013: 0 mentions2014: 0 mentions2015: 0 mentions2016: 0 mentions2017: 0 mentions2018: 0 mentions2019: 1 mention2020: 1 mention2021: 1 mention2022: 0 mentions2023: 0 mentions2024: 0 mentions2025: 1 mention2026: 1 mention200720172026

What Hacker News says

  • INTPenis · Jul 2, 2019 · Recommends

    I did not expect to see sci-fi here but I'd like to add anything in the Revelation Space universe by Alastair Reynolds. I just got done reading it for a 2nd time, and Elysium Fire for the 1st time and I'm in love with his style of writing and the universe he's created. I just want more information about all the things like Ultras, Rust belt, Glitter band, Belle epoque and so forth.…

    on “Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer?” ↗
  • davedx · Dec 26, 2025 · Recommends

    …great divergence): * If This Is a Man / The Truce by Primo Levi Other books I enjoyed reading this year in no particular order: * Tau Zero by Poul Anderson * Machine Vendetta by Alastair Reynolds * Elysium Fire by Alastair Reynolds * Aurora Rising by Alastair Reynolds * Shadow of the Silk Road by Colin Thubron (loved this) * The Lord of the Rings (the god knows how many times re-read) * The Centauri Device…

    on “Ask HN: What did you read in 2025?” ↗
  • watt · May 17, 2026 · Recommends

    Reynolds' Aurora trilogy (of Revelation Space - Aurora Rising, Elysium Fire, Machine Vendetta) hits very close.

    on “Accelerando (2005)” ↗
  • weeblewobble · Jun 16, 2021 · Mentions

    also a major plot in Elysium Fire by Alastair Reynolds

    on “A Visualization of Galactic Settlement” ↗
  • revicon · Jan 4, 2020 · Mentions

    …this is: " The reading order isn’t that critical, in my view, but it probably improves things to read REVELATION SPACE, REDEMPTION ARK and ABSOLUTION GAP in that sequence. THE PREFECT (AURORA RISING) and ELYSIUM FIRE may be read alone or jointly, but should best be read in the above order. CHASM CITY, as well as the collections DIAMOND DOGS, TURQUOISE DAYS and GALACTIC NORTH, can be read at any point."

    on “Ask HN: Are books worth it?” ↗

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