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)

Horrible narration of sometimes long winded book

The book was a very difficult listen. Primarily due to horrible narration. Most of the time it was practically impossible to differentiate between various characters. Additionally, lack of pauses during narration made it difficult and confusing to follow the story.

The story itself was adequate but often too long winded resulting in apparent lack of direction.

Overall I cannot recommend this book, primarily due to horrible narration. Book would be a lot more bearable in print, for it would be possible to skim over long winded parts.

First Class SF

I wasn't aware of Peter Hamilton's work, so I bought the audiobook on the recommendation. I'm very glad I did - it is one of the most entertaining listens I've had in a long time. Be aware tho' that you're going to need to get part 2.

Take the Narration Back to Post Production

Any additional comments?

Re-render the narration track with leveling and/or compression. Dialog dynamic range is too large for listening in anything other than a quiet environment. Listening in a moving automobile is almost impossible. Narration trails off and downward on almost every phrase. I believe this could be corrected in the studio.

Rich, entertaining science fiction

The story is as complex and engrossing as Deep Space Nine. Great mix of characters, politics, psychology (both human and alien) against a backdrop believable enough that my BS meter was kept in-check.

It took a couple chapters before I became engaged, but I encourage you not to give up. And while the narrator put me off a bit at first, his skill at subtlety varying his voice for different character really helped me keep track of the characters.

I'll be reading the sequels for sure!

One of if not the best series ever written.

The beginning of an epic saga covering space and time. Fantastic world building and a host of characters.

HBO should turn this into the next big budget series.

Perfect Space Opera

I originally read this many years ago. I cracked it open again this year, because it's the March "22 selection for the Sword and Laser book club.

I had forgotten so much of the detail of the story. If there's one thing Hamilton is good at, it's detail. It was a lot of fun reliving the worlds of The Commonwealth.

The mix of old world tech and new ( rail trains with regular passenger service to other planets through wormholes) is an interesting take on the interstellar empire trope.

This story works on many levels for me. There's Ozzie's trek along the Sylvan paths that give the novel a Tolkien feel. The Star Trek type mission to the Dyson pair. The alien invasion reminiscent of many battles of the second world war. The interpersonal squabbling and political manuvering (not to mention all the bed hopping) among the human elites.

It is a very long read (or listen) and it ends on a literal cliff hanger. Stick with it. You'll be rewarded with a journey through fascinating worlds and characters that will make you roll your eyes, laugh, and shake your head in amazement at Hamilton's sprawling and detailed tome.

Decent story with loooottttssss of bagage

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It was a decent storyline, yet hard to follow due to all the different side stories. If you can get past the Anti-capitalist pro-socialist message and all the ad-nausea-um descriptions of every last item it is fairly entertaining.

Epic SF opera. Really enjoyed it!

If you are into LONG stories with many characters (there's a lot of people to keep track of here) then this is a great option. The premise is intriguing and the science aspect is cool. Interstellar dynasties, planetary corporations and a great variety of characters make it a fun book.

Be aware you'll have to read Judas Unchained (the second and final book) to finish the story (another 40hrs) so it's a commitment for sure.
Personally I loved it. Takes a little time to get into the narrator doing all the voices but it works. Overall a great book with a complex story and fun action sequences.

The Best Sci-Fi Space Opera This Century

No, really, it is. Im a pretty harsh critic of contemporary scifi novels. I miss Heinlein and Asimov and their like. But Peter Hamilton has shown me there is hope yet for the genre. Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained are big, loud, action-packed thrillers that don't skimp on the visionary science. These two novels have packed in pretty much everything that makes the genre great. John Lee's performance brings the huge number of characters into bright 3-D reality. I can't really think of anything negative to say about these books. Get em, you'll like em.

Complex plot

A long and complex plot line that's not always easy to follow but it's well worth the trouble.