This Void series from Hamilton is great. However, this is not for the casual SF reader. Definitely satisfyingly hardcore SF. Hamilton describes the distant future in extreme detail. Its really amazing that he can intertwine such a big universe.
There are many weaknesses in the book, but it was interesting enough to keep me reading. The story is built on the foundation of Pandora's Star and Judas Unleashed. Although enjoyable, many of the details in those books have faded in my memory since I read them. Hamilton doesn't seem to think I should have this failing and the story in The Dreaming Void often falls flat because of this assumption.
Thousands of years have passed since the Starflyer War (covered in Pandora's Star and Judas Unleashed). Human longevity can now span this timeframe, so many of the characters in Pandora's Star and Judas Unleashed reappear in this story, which is good news if you actually managed to care for them much after the last books. They all come out of hiding along with new characters in the typical Hamilton style of revealing the story by switching focus between characters each chapter.
Unfortunately, the big story isn't as gripping as it was in his previous novels and the danger isn't really presented as all that dangerous. The mystery lies in a Void at the center of the universe which might, or might not, expand and engulf the universe. Thanks to Ozzie (a character sort of pivotal in the Commonwealth Saga) humans can now tune into the gaiafield, and share emotions and dreams. Turns out that a Dreamer gets true dreams about a lost human colony in the impenetrable Void and a religious movement to seek the colony is born, potentially threatening the universe with plans for a pilgrimage into the Void.
Lots of posturing and positioning among factions follows. Also in typical Hamilton style, nothing really happens until page 602. Really. Fair warning. Hamilton's gift, though is in keeping you engaged in spite of that fact.
It's worth reading for Inigo's dreams of the Void alone. Some of the concepts inherent in Hamilton's universe are also fascinating, and worth considering, especially the effect of human longevity, stored memories in case of bodyloss, and choosing to go posthuman and upload yourself into what the world wide web may someday evolve into.
Thousands of years have passed since the Starflyer War (covered in Pandora's Star and Judas Unleashed). Human longevity can now span this timeframe, so many of the characters in Pandora's Star and Judas Unleashed reappear in this story, which is good news if you actually managed to care for them much after the last books. They all come out of hiding along with new characters in the typical Hamilton style of revealing the story by switching focus between characters each chapter.
Unfortunately, the big story isn't as gripping as it was in his previous novels and the danger isn't really presented as all that dangerous. The mystery lies in a Void at the center of the universe which might, or might not, expand and engulf the universe. Thanks to Ozzie (a character sort of pivotal in the Commonwealth Saga) humans can now tune into the gaiafield, and share emotions and dreams. Turns out that a Dreamer gets true dreams about a lost human colony in the impenetrable Void and a religious movement to seek the colony is born, potentially threatening the universe with plans for a pilgrimage into the Void.
Lots of posturing and positioning among factions follows. Also in typical Hamilton style, nothing really happens until page 602. Really. Fair warning. Hamilton's gift, though is in keeping you engaged in spite of that fact.
It's worth reading for Inigo's dreams of the Void alone. Some of the concepts inherent in Hamilton's universe are also fascinating, and worth considering, especially the effect of human longevity, stored memories in case of bodyloss, and choosing to go posthuman and upload yourself into what the world wide web may someday evolve into.
A great book for serious lovers of SciFi. Set in the distant future, this first part of the new Void Trilogy traces the lives of a number of seemingly disjointed characters. Yet as the plot unfolds, their lives become more entwined. Hamilton is an excellent writer combining believable characters with a wonderfully imaginative yet plausable view of life in the distant future. If you like Stephen Baxter you'll love this book.
