The Dreaming Void - Peter F. Hamilton

A personal void

I read about 20 pages then skipped to 50 and then gave up. This type of sci-fi epic is not for me...or perhaps it is because I very much like Iain Banks but this one left me cold.

I think it was the relentless gadget name-dropping that did it eg x took the anti-grav hopper to the sun-port, not forgetting his zero-g hank'..shut up shut up..arrrghhh

the thought of 500+ pages of this made me put it swiftly aside.

Hamilton back to his best!

There's already too many large reviews regarding this book, so I'm only going to say that this book is "Hamilton back to his best"! Easily on a par with the Nights Dawn trilogy - I might even buy the Temporal Void hard-cover version as I can't wait for the paperback!!

Great start to a new trilogy

This is a really good first book in the new series. Its good to have some continuity from the previous trilogy as those that read the Commonwealth trilogy can immediately relate. At the same time thigs are different enought to allow new avenues to be explored. Wheras the first book in some of Peter Hamilton's series can be a bit slow, this one gets of to a flying start and keeps you interested all of the way.

A very good read - can't wait until the next two are available in paperback.

Great fun, gripping read, can't wait for the next one!

Surprised by the number of low ratings the book has received.

Yes the book is telling two stories, one low tech tale of child-to adult 'fantasy' genre type and another a high tech futuristic mystery thriller.

The tales are intertwined and both are exciting. Can't wait for the next book, already on order!

continuation of a saga

This novel is a continuation of the Commonwealth saga although some 1000 years in the future of that period. It retains some of the characters from those stories including Paula Myo, a vital character, Justine, Oscar Monro and a few others. It is in the far future where humanity's advanced technology now appears to rival the Raiel's who appear to be the most advanced (physical) race in the galaxy. It concerns the existence of the Void which is present at the centre of the galaxy and undergoes periodic expansions thereby eating up stars and planets. The Raiel are concerned that the entire galaxy will be consumed.

The book involves various interlinking storylines of many different characters who become more and more important as the book progresses, especially the stories of Silrana and Edeard. It is well told and fascinating although possibly too long but still worth a read. As usual Peter F Hamilton is a good story teller. However, it doesn't really measure up to the Commonwealth saga which has more human elements rather than the excessive technology in this novel.

Good, but not great.