The books of the cycle of Culture is largely independent of each other, you can just read them in the order you want. Among the oldest 3 (A form of war, man of the Games and the use of weapons), I strongly recommend reading this book to a neophyte wishing to explore the universe of Culture. Indeed, "a form of war", although it is not devoid of qualities and some interest, two large defects for a neophyte: he does not speak enough of Culture (and for cause, novel from the point of view of his opponents), and suffers from a big lack of pace. As for the use of weapons, I would not recommend it for a first reading in the Culturien universe. Indeed, its very special construction makes it ... not difficult, but challenging to read, and most of the story is very, very dark. In short, through the gradual immersion in the world of culture it offers, its history with dark sides without either excessive and with a good pace, this novel has all the qualities to be the first read by a person seeking to discover this cycle. If it hangs drive in style and the universe developed by the author, it will be time to read this dark masterpiece that is the use of weapons then, or learn more about Idirane the war ubiquitous in the cycle, in a form of war.
Regarding the novel before us today, its main qualities are a very well balanced rhythm (which is accelerating in the novel), a discovery of the civilization Culturienne smoothly, the originality of the approach (the comparison between the civilizational models via a game, the game as a means of social promotion), immersion (we feel doubts and triumphs of heroes like if you were there), and also a first approach side crafty, subtle and manipulative sections Contact (with other species / civilizations) and special circumstances (military intelligence) Culture. I add that the species described, with its three sexes, is rather original, and that civilization is both consistent and well described.
In summary, a good novel in the cycle of Culture (best rhythm with Hydrogen Sonata, in my opinion) a very good SF novel in general and the most accesible book neophyte among the first 3 / more ancient cycle of Culture.
