Matter is a truly remarkable achievement. It is as complex as Look to Windward, incorporates the same elements of a fantasy/low-tech society within the Culture universe as Inversions, and yet manages to be clearer than the former and more complete than the latter.

Banks delivers a tour de force with this novel. The world-building is truly amazing, the characters are well-defined (except perhaps for the main antagonist), and, as usual with Banks, the writing is top-notch. I also found the pacing better than in Inversions. Although I enjoy all the Culture novels, I think this is the one I’ve preferred most since Use of Weapons.

The consistency within Banks’ body of work is incredible. The quality of writing, plotting, and world-building remains exceptional. Even the “low” entries in the Culture series would stand as great achievements for most authors. I’m having a fantastic time going through this series.