Singularity Sky by Charles Stross

In a universe where humanity has spread across the stars, a mysterious entity known as the "Festival" arrives at the backward planet of Rochard's World, offering its inhabitants anything they desire in exchange for stories. This sudden technological upheaval threatens the rigid, authoritarian regime that governs the planet, leading to chaos and rebellion. As the Festival's influence grows, a secretive agent and a rogue engineer must navigate the ensuing turmoil, confronting the implications of advanced technology and the nature of freedom in a society on the brink of transformation.

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