The Evolutionary Void

Void Trilogy, Book 3

By: Peter F. Hamilton

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 24 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

An innovator praised as one of the inventors of "the new space opera", Peter F. Hamilton has also been hailed as the heir of such golden-age giants as Heinlein and Asimov. His star-spanning sagas are distinguished by deft plotting, engaging characters, provocative explorations of science and society, and soaring imaginative reach. Now, in one of the most eagerly anticipated offerings of the year, Hamilton brings his acclaimed Void trilogy to a stunning close.

Exposed as the Second Dreamer, Araminta has become the target of a galaxywide search by government agent Paula Myo and the psychopath known as the Cat, along with others equally determined to prevent - or facilitate - the pilgrimage of the Living Dream cult into the heart of the Void. An indestructible microuniverse, the Void may contain paradise, as the cultists believe, but it is also a deadly threat. For the miraculous reality that exists inside its boundaries demands energy - energy drawn from everything outside those boundaries: from planets, stars, galaxies...from everything that lives.

Meanwhile, the parallel story of Edeard, the Waterwalker, as told through a series of addictive dreams communicated to the gaiasphere via Inigo, the First Dreamer, continues to unfold. But now the inspirational tale of this idealistic young man takes a darker and more troubling turn as he finds himself faced with powerful new enemies - and temptations more powerful still.

With time running out, a repentant Inigo must decide whether to release Edeard's final dream: a dream whose message is scarcely less dangerous than the pilgrimage promises to be. And Araminta must choose whether to run from her unwanted responsibilities or face them down, with no guarantee of success or survival. But all these choices may be for naught if the monomaniacal Ilanthe, leader of the breakaway Accelerator Faction, is able to enter the Void. For it is not paradise she seeks there, but dominion.

Into the Void? Listen to more in the Void Trilogy.

©2010 Peter F. Hamilton (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Epic, multi-stranded, full of wonders." (SFX)

Fantastic conclusion

It was an awesome way to wrap up this second journey into the commonwealth again

Fascinating concepts

While there were some amazing ideas being explored this story stretched the limits of my suspended disbelief out of shape.
Still I am amazed at Hamilton's depth of character and while I loved the fist commonwealth saga far more I was impressed by the creative way he drew all the old players and heroes into this story a thousand years later.
Fun read, but long Read about 3000 pages by the end of book 3. It's all really just one book.

convoluted at times

could be convoluted at times but some beautiful yet plausible imagery. I would absolutely recommend

The mystery of the Void is finally revealed.

Throughout the first two books of this series, the Edeard story line (from inside the Void) seemed to overshadow the far more numerous threads related to events happening outside the Void. Edeard's life in Makkathran was just more interesting and the growth of his psychic powers kept things fresh as he pursued his quest to achieve fulfillment. As his story line progressed it also provided much needed context to explain why the human Living Dream movement was willing to put the entire galaxy at risk with their pilgrimage into the Void. Despite numerous factions and alien species willing to go "all in" to stop them, Living Dream was prepared to do anything for a chance to achieve fulfillment. Would their pilgrimage trigger a Void expansion phase so large that the galaxy was consumed? Would anyone be able to stop them before they got there? With the stage finally set Peter F. Hamilton answers those questions and more as he concludes the series and unveils the mystery of the Void once and for all.

I have to say that I finally got into the "outside the Void" story lines in this one and that made this the best book of the series. All of the main characters and threads converge on the Void for the big finale and it is not obvious how it is going to play out until the very end. So many questions from this complex story finally get answered: Will Living Dream achieve fulfillment? If fulfillment is so great why does Inigo, the founder of Living Dream, think it is a bad idea to pursue it? Is fulfillment the same as going post-physical? Can the nature of the Void be changed so that it doesn't pose a threat to the galaxy any longer? If not, will the Void expand? If it does, can the expansion be controlled in some way? There are so many possible ways the story could go that you are driven to get to the conclusion as quickly as possible just so it can finally all make sense.

When it is all said and done it becomes obvious that the mystery of the Void itself is the main character and everyone else's story is related in some way. Luckily things are explained in detail and wrapped up nicely so you need not worry about being left hanging. You also need not be concerned about having to read any other books first. Although this trilogy is part of the same literary universe as the Commonwealth Saga series it is completely stand alone and complete. John Lee narrates many of the books in this universe and does a great job with all of them so listening instead of reading is a great option. If you are in the mood for some sci-fi on an epic scale with some fantasy thrown in for good measure then give this series a go and you too can experience the mystery of the Void for yourself.

Great Ending

I really enjoyed the book. Wrapped up nicely!! I would recommend the book to any one who likes space operas

A great wrap-up to both series.

As I said when I reviewed book one of this series, a reader really should read the first series (Commonwealth) before reading this series. (Read my review of the first book in this series (The Dreaming Void). Unlike many series it covers many, many decades of the people in the story. As this book ends it ties up many loose ends and gives an understanding of the entire group of stories. I feel this book is an ending and doesn't leave much room for a sequel.

rollercoaster

...wicked ride, highs were high & lows were low, but overall, fairly well balanced. Author seems to know how long you can go before you need another adrenaline "injection"...

Sci-Fi Poetry

Reading anything from Peter F. Hamilton is like sci-fi poetry. "The Evolutionary Void", the last book in the Void Trilogy is the perfect ending to an epic story and almost perfect from anything regarding science fiction. Hamilton is a true poet in this genre and I am never disappointed when I crack open any of his titles. I read the "Commonwealth Saga" a few years ago as my introduction to this author and even since then, I enjoyed almost anything that I've read from him..

Peter F. Hamilton does not rhymes his words, but has an artistic expression of language at tells a vivid stories that are out of this world.

If you already read Commonwealth, you will be impress with the Void. The universe continues on and comes to an end that you least expected. I took my time at finishing the Void Trilogy because unlike the Black Hole, Hamilton's words eventually stops.

Exhausting But Worth It

What made the experience of listening to The Evolutionary Void the most enjoyable?

The complexity of the story line was consuming. What I think the best fiction does it draws you in to a world and takes you away from the day to day of life. This series of books fit the bill - and then some.This book is the resolution of the 4 previous books - Pandora's Star, Judas Unchained, The Dreaming Void, The Temporal Void and the Evolutionary Void.

What did you like best about this story?

Story lines going back to the first book were pulled through and resolved.Complicated and clever.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Everything. Voice inflection, pace, emotion. I am shocked how he can do such a great job over a story this length. Its amazing.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending made perfect sense and was mildly shocking at the same time

Any additional comments?

In my view this is series for real fans of Sci Fi. If you loved Asimov, Clarke and modern epic Sci Fi like Simmons you will enjoy it. But it takes an investment of time and focus to keep up with the story and characters. I enjoy that. There an additional complexity with the actual science that made this additionally challenging, but also rewarding. The audible problems that the reviewers mentioned are in the entire series, but in the end they did not diminish the experience at all. I highly recommend this series and I am happy to have experienced it.

Amazing

This Story is just amazing. im a 37 year old man and i had tears coming out of my eyes at the end .