vickerstaylor's review against another edition
5.0
Another great entry from Peter F. Hamilton. The way he builds upon the universe he created in the Commonwealth Saga is fantastic. The callbacks and new mysteries kept me engaged, and the usual fantasy adjacent chapters were really great/fun. I look forward to the next one.
ausdj2's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
omexamorph's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't read any of Peter Hamilton's other books so if there are elements that help understanding this book that are in the others then I'm out of luck. The book explores a number of different technology advances and their effects on the races that exist in this future, such as hive minds, shared consciousness, techno-empathy, effective immortality, and others. Unfortunately there are just so many characters and moving parts that don't actually do anything that this entire book feels like it's just a giant game of assembling pieces on a chess board and nothing more. I didn't particularly empathize with any character and aa large fraction of the time spent reading was devoted to explaining the technologies that ultimately didn't affect the story. If someone could tell me that the previous series or next books are that much better then I'd consider reading them but I think I'll leave this book universe for the time being.
charitybuck's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rmichno's review against another edition
2.0
I have no problem when an author drops me into a complex world without any safety nets, but I do expect they give me the tools to eventually understand what's going on. It felt like Peter Hamilton was deliberately adding layers of confusion for no good reason.
I get it's a "space epic", but would it kill him to keep the focus on a few characters and plot lines long enough for the reader (me) to catch up with whatever big ideas he's trying to express?
In the end I gave up after 188 pages because I wasn't connecting with a single character and I couldn't remember who 1/2 of them were or what they were doing. Maybe there's an interesting novel buried in this one but I don't have the patience to sort it out.
I get it's a "space epic", but would it kill him to keep the focus on a few characters and plot lines long enough for the reader (me) to catch up with whatever big ideas he's trying to express?
In the end I gave up after 188 pages because I wasn't connecting with a single character and I couldn't remember who 1/2 of them were or what they were doing. Maybe there's an interesting novel buried in this one but I don't have the patience to sort it out.
gullevek's review against another edition
5.0
This Guy can write and besides is also invent a universe that works over two book series. It is just a joy to read this book.
peter_xxx's review against another edition
4.0
this book is a long introduction to the next two books in the void trilogy but it is a very good introduction. Lot's of nice characters, enough action, and a plot that still has a lot to reveal
mrfrenchtoasts's review against another edition
4.0
A very fun read. I recommend it to anyone who read and liked Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained. I really like Hamilton, but sometimes he can be a tad bit too much descriptive...But the world building is amazing, which is his strong suit.
majkia's review against another edition
5.0
It is the far future and humankind have spread across the stars, and met a host of alien species. Wars are over, and things are going pretty well. Except for this massive thing sitting in the middle of the Galaxy. At first it is thought to be a black hole devouring the Galaxy, but then it becomes clear it is something else entirely.
Then one man, an astrophysicist who is studying it, begins to dream. Through the existing tech that connects the worlds, his dream is broadcast across the stars and people begin to believe that within the Void humans live and are happy and prosper. This spawns a religion around the Dreamer, Inigo.
But after several centuries, the Dreamer disappears. Has he died? Or has he simply pulled out of society and hidden himself somewhere.
Then, suddenly, there is a second Dreamer. This sparks the Living Dream, the religion spawned around the first Dreamer, to suddenly awaken from its slumber and call for a pilgrimage into the Void. ; But many scientists, and all the alien species, rise up in alarm, afraid such a thing will cause the Void to speed up and begin, once again, to destroy worlds and civilizations as it chews its way through the Galaxy. The pilgrimage must be stopped!
Hamilton does a great job at creating a Galactic civilization, Religion, and people who are complex and intriguing. The societies are various, with different worlds having quite different problems and opportunities, not to mention goals. Some people, the wealthy of course, live for centuries, and have augmented bodies and minds, and a mental connection to the mass of humanity through the vast gaianet that lets thoughts and dreams spread across worlds and peoples.
I’m excited to read the next outing. Oh, and Fifty Shades doesn’t hold a candle to the future folks and their versions of sex and erotica.