Pandora's Star

By: Peter F. Hamilton

Narrated by: John Lee

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)

Awesome - don't miss!

This is an absolutely fabulous book. The author has a complete and comprehensive vision of an entire galaxy, complete with alien societies, advanced technology, politics and philosophies. The pace is fast, the action complex and compelling. There are lots of good strong characters with life stories that interact in a fascinating manner. Most visionary books like this sag in the middle, needing a good edit. Not this one. It is well written from start to finish. And the narration is top-rate. Read Pandora's Star before Judas Unchained, which picks up right where this book ends.

Sound and fury

About halfway through, I realized this was going to be a continued story, and would probably end in a cliffhanger. How right I was.

This has all the earmarks of an epic saga: a huge cast of characters, covering the breadth of an entire milieu.

Multiple viewpoints show us almost everything that's happening. I hate that kind of book. I can't put them down, and I'm forced to go out and buy the next volume, or the previous one, if I'm unfortunate enough to have started in the middle.

Technically, I found the volume
level to be a little quiet for listening with the iPhone speakers. The narrator also varied his tone, so I constantly had to adjust the volume on my earphones.

What the F

"You gotta be F__ing kinding me" fitting that those are some of the last words in the book. Great book till it left you hanging with no reference to any conclusion. Did the author just get tired of writing. I only gave 3 stars, perhaps it will get 5 stars if I ever get a conclusion on the storyline.

hard to hear narator and follow story

to hard to hear and follow story line to much accent to hear srory line

An excellent addition to your SciFi library!

I've read (listened) to Peter Hamilton starting with The Night's Dawn Trilogy. This starting episode of the series still showcases Hamilton's ease at working together multiple threads and bringing them into a cohesive whole. As I listened I couldn't wait for him to wrap up one characters storyline so I could get onto the next! That's not saying any of the story lines were boring he just knows how to leave at the right moment in the scene leaving you wanting more.

The moral and scientific themes are touched on but not preachy allowing the listener to mull around the discussion in one's own head.

The technology presented is exciting and while not the focus of the story it definitely adds a component of "that would be cool" flavor.

As usual there seems to be higher amount of sexual activity but not as graphic as the Night's Dawn. I could do without it but in some cases it is used to display some cultural differences.

All-in-all, a good start to another trilogy.