Pandora's Star

By: Peter F. Hamilton

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 37 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Critics have compared the engrossing space operas of Peter F. Hamilton to the classic sagas of such SF giants as Isaac Asimov and Frank Herbert. But Hamilton's best-selling fiction - powered by a fearless imagination and world-class storytelling skills - has also earned him comparison to Tolstoy and Dickens. Hugely ambitious, wildly entertaining, philosophically stimulating: the novels of Peter F. Hamilton will change the way you think about science fiction.

Now, with Pandora's Star, he begins a new multi-volume adventure, one that promises to be his most mind-blowing yet. The year is 2380. The Intersolar Commonwealth, a sphere of stars some 400 light-years in diameter, contains more than 600 worlds, interconnected by a web of transport "tunnels" known as wormholes. At the farthest edge of the Commonwealth, astronomer Dudley Bose observes the impossible: Over 1,000 light-years away, a star...vanishes. It does not go supernova. It does not collapse into a black hole. It simply disappears.

Since the location is too distant to reach by wormhole, a faster-than-light starship, the Second Chance, is dispatched to learn what has occurred and whether it represents a threat. In command is Wilson Kime, a five-time rejuvenated ex-NASA pilot whose glory days are centuries behind him. Opposed to the mission are the Guardians of Selfhood, a cult that believes the human race is being manipulated by an alien entity they call the Starflyer.

Bradley Johansson, leader of the Guardians, warns of sabotage, fearing the Starflyer means to use the starship's mission for its own ends. Pursued by a Commonwealth special agent convinced the Guardians are crazy but dangerous, Johansson flees. But the danger is not averted. Aboard the Second Chance, Kime wonders if his crew has been infiltrated.

Soon enough, he will have other worries. A thousand light-years away, something truly incredible is waiting: a deadly discovery, the unleashing of which will threaten to destroy t...

©2004 Peter F. Hamilton (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The depth and clarity of the future Hamilton envisions is as complex and involving as they come." ( Publishers Weekly Starred Review)

Get hooked

Mr. Hamilton creates an entire galaxy for your imagination. very well written, performed and complete. It is SiCk with an emphasis on science.

The Perils of Pauline Conumdrum

This is a beautifully crafted, sprawling epic of a storied world where people have memory implants and can be re-lifed, worlds are accessible in an instant by artificial wormhole, and humans remain the complex, ambitious, curious, hungry creatures we have always been.
Unfortunately, I was not prepared for the end, which strands the reader as did an old episode of the Saturday melodrama.
Now I am contending with the desperate desire to go on with the story and the fury that has me half-determined never to read anything by this writer again.

Narration volume changes too much.

The narrator speaks with a mumble sometimes and with a booming voice other times. It makes it difficult to follow if not in a very quite listening area.

Amazing story

This book was awesome. The plot is well thought out, well written and keeps you entertained the whole way through. The narrarator does an exceptional job at voicing all the characters.

Mildly cerebral. Interesting.

A slow, vividly descriptive story with generally few faults. Sticks within sciences established in the story and accounts for its plot. Doesn't follow the obvious story as I expected it but isn't exceptionally surprising. The author clearly spent significant effort making sure the puzzle peices fit together properly and didn't fall into the common trap of forcing plot points via idiotic character decisionmaking.

Great book!

I love this book! I'm listening to this for the second time now. There is so much going on that the first time through you can easily miss some interesting and key features. While the voice actor doesn't have the most impressive range he is very good at helping you achieve the suspension of disbelief that is critical to enjoying the story!

Sweeping Epic

This is a sweeping epic set 400 years in the future. A distant star disappears from sight and we curious humans must investigate. There is a huge cast of characters that are woven together towards the cliffhanger ending. This is not a stand-alone novel. Once you start this massive book you are in for the long haul with its sequel Judas Unchained.

This book is true Peter Hamilton style. There is a level of complexity as he goes to great lengths in describing every minute detail. Some may find the techno-jargon tedious but I find it creates a depth to scenery and characters that very few authors can match. The story is fleshed out to the point where I feel like I'm right there walking along the enzyme-bonded concrete with my friends from the Commonwealth

Brilliant Sci Fi

I am completely new to this author, but after audio-bookihg through Pandora's Star, I have to say that I am completely blown away. This book has literally got it all:

* space exploration and combat
* a head-scratching "whodunit"
* multiple love stories
* Stephen King-esque scope and character development
* A "on the edge of your seat" thriller

WOW, I am totally hooked on this series now, and look forward to devouring the other stories of this author as well. Brilliant, brilliant stuff.

Sucks you into the epic story

As a space epic it is slow to start as all the moving parts are introduced then the story builds and you are sucked in.

First-rate science fiction

I've been reading science fiction for almost 40 years. This is one of the best ever. I thought it might be a bit simple at first, but it's just some necessary setup. Huge imagination, interesting characters, great storytelling.

The narrator is excellent as well. Gives the many characters distinct voices.

If you like science fiction, buy this book. Period.