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)

pandora's star - good but dont listen too hard....

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the story. it seems the plot kept me listening despite the lack of pause between characters and chapters. Seriously one moment your involved in a characters life and the next your trying to figure out how they got to the new environment or situation. there is no pause between chapters or sections of the chapters where the author takes up a different topic or character (another reviewer stated the same thing and it's true - drive you crazy). sometimes you can pick it up but other times not so much even though you know there is no pause and you're waiting for it - still catches you off guard.
the story was good - a little long and at times the description of events such as conflict scenes was slightly overdone. seems the author almost tried too hard to get in as much science as he could. it was a fine line between just enough science and too much as too hinder the pace of the action ( no one has mastered this as well as B. Sanderson - that guy can describe a fight scene!)
I usually listen intently but this book i found myself not listening as intently and letting it flow not worrying about every little detail as the author tends to lean to excessive description...but as I said it was a fine line and the author rode that ever so carefully and the plot kept you listening.....the only thing stopping me from listening the the second book is the lack of a pause between sections.
I would also say the book has a lot of characters and I dont feel the characterization was what kept me interested - it has characterization but not so much so that I necessarily felt anything for any of the characters. Maybe others would feel different - I am no expert - just my opinion.

Great Space Opera

I loved the development of the of the characters and the different points of view throughout this book. All the different stories going on simultaneously keep you wanting more. The further you get into the story the more that is going on. The pace just keep picking up. Can't wait to listen to Judas Unchained.

hard to hear

the narrator's voice drops at the end of all of his words making him hard to hear. the book was also kind of blah, great potential but not worth the money

Great book

The universe Hamilton has developed is very cool. The book was very thrilling and imaginative throughout and left off with a great cliffhanger. The book was also well preformed by the narrator.

Wonderful book-Big investment

I ended up loving this book. Initially I was just trying to push through it to get to another book I had pre ordered. However after about hour 20 I was hooked. It took a while to get all of the characters straight, but after making the investment I am excited about the next novel in the series

Great story

One of the best I've read in many years so many parts so much great action and interesting characters with a fantastic high-tech story

Great read for the scifi lover.

Loved the book. I came from the expanse series to this and loved It. I'm new to the scifi realm and really loved this expansive story and interesting characters. looking forward the rest of the series.

Secong listen

absolutely love this book series. this is my second listen and I still enjoy every second of it. the excitment and despair come through amazingly and the mysteries just as enjoyable.

slow to get moving but lots of neat ideas

the beginning is a chaotic tangle of characters but by the end you genuinely care about most and the fate of the Commonwealth

Incredible

Fantastic SCI Fi, deep and detailed loaded with great characters encompassing a terrific story within a truly futuristic universe