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)

A story, within a story, within a srory....

In this, the third installment of this trilogy, there is a winding up of the many stories. The various degrees of being imbedded are often surprising, as one cannot possibly guess them all. I also love that women play more than mere passive roles in each of the stories. This journey through the stars and time itself is brought to a satisfying completion. Yet, the story lines allow for my own speculation after the ending of the trilogy! I recommend this for anyone who likes their imaginations bent as much as time/space will allow!

Incredible series

This is by far my favourite series! It was difficult in the first book because there were so many people to remember and I didn’t know if I would really stay interested as I listened. Also the space between the scenes was quite short so it could be disconcerting at times. By the end of the first book though I was loving how the story was playing out and because John Lee is so masterful at creating the voices of the characters it ended up being a beautiful gift to listen.
Thank you Peter F. Hamilton, you do know how to spin a great story.

Great, epic

This is a great listen, I would listen again despite the length, top 5 sci fi series, easily, maybe top 3.

Awesome just awesome

One of the series I have ever read, wish that it didnt have to end.

Great ending to a fantastic series

You probably do not need this review if you have listened the rest of the series until now. If you have *read* the series and not listened to it, then I can say that there is no better Narrator than John Lee so you are in good hands to listen to the last part.

If you have never read this series, the entire series is on Audible. Start with Pandora's Star. Check out Peter's website for the entire bibliography of the Commonwealth Series. It is outstanding and certainly my favorite "epic" modern sci-fi series.

Best epic sci-fi available

Hamilton succeeds at writing a worthy finish to his epic sci-fi Commonwealth series. Lesser sci-fi authors get caught up in a clever premise and punt at the ending, but Hamilton shows his epic was well planned.

The Void trilogy is a continuation of Hamilton's Commonwealth series, so best to get Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained prior to the Void books.

Audible: While Hamilton works on his next series, please add some of his other books.

Not gonna start any new series for a while...

What a roller coaster ride this series has been! I've decided not to start any new books for a little while because I just wouldn't be able to give them a fair shot after getting so caught up in this saga, for such a long time... it was actually that good.

...and here's what kinda worries me, as always; Once in a while an author has a series or two (or three) that gets people caught up in them, and wanting a lot more... yet for some reason the author suddenly decides that they're tired of writing the type of books that really made them stand out WAY above other authors. They veer off into another genre, or style, that just isn't "them", that just doesn't attract the same following, and just doesn't allow them to use the Gift they have for writing to the best advantage.

I've seen some fantastic authors pronounce that they wouldn't be writing any more books of the style (or containing characters) that got their name to be so well known to begin with, and then they start putting out books that I just can't get into, and certainly can't spend money on. I often listen to people talk about some of these authors in the past tense even... that is an absolute shame every time see it.

I hope nothing like that happens with this series of books, or with this style of writing! When you've got a winning combination of personalities that you've developed, along with a unique style that can be recognized even without a "By-Line", It may be time to stick with it for a while...

...especially when you've been given a Gift that allows you to take the ragged edge of the newest scientific theories and discoveries, and extend the possibilities of those discoveries far into an imagined future where they've found a daily "practical use" that no one else would have ever thought of! Anyone can imagine what "computers" will be like a few hundred years into the future, it's been done to death, but to take some obscure bits of Quantum Physics and show them being used as a Social Networking Tool in the future (and do it as a mere afterthought, no less!) is the kind of genius that gets Planets, Space Ports, etc, named after an author! As an engineer I can say that it's rare to see someone instinctively understand a complicated science to the point where their mind just naturally comes up with a plethora of "everyday mundane far-future uses" that have nothing to do with High-Tech Devastating Bombs or Planet-Splitting Devices... while using other bits of the same science to imagine (and describe) "devastating bombs and planet-splitting devices" (and to write them into fiction in such a way that they don't just seem gratuitous)

I'm highly impressed by this series, and by this style of writing, and I hope both will continue on in some form! It'll have me waiting to click "Add To Cart" the day they become available!

Mr. Hamilton, I am a Fan!

Crazy story

crazy but good. Narrators are weird but good.
That universe is huge in possibilities. Hard core sci-fi

Fantastic!

Loved this whole series. Peter Hamilton never disappoints. Awaiting the rest of Nigel's adventures in the Void.

Mr. Hamilton is a extraordinary storyteller

This story was riveting from start to end. It was hard to stop listening until it was finished.