The Abyss Beyond Dreams
By Peter F. Hamilton
- Release Date: 2014-10-21
- Genre: Science Fiction
Description
Bestselling science fiction master Peter F. Hamilton delivers the first of a two-book saga set in his popular Commonwealth universe. Distinguished by deft plotting, a teeming cast of characters, dazzling scientific speculation, and imagination that brings the truly alien to life, The Abyss Beyond Dreams reveals Hamilton as a storyteller of astonishing ingenuity and power.
The year is 3326. Nigel Sheldon, one of the founders of the Commonwealth, receives a visit from the Raiel—self-appointed guardians of the Void, the enigmatic construct at the core of the galaxy that threatens the existence of all that lives. The Raiel convince Nigel to participate in a desperate scheme to infiltrate the Void.
Once inside, Nigel discovers that humans are not the only life-forms to have been sucked into the Void, where the laws of physics are subtly different and mental powers indistinguishable from magic are commonplace. The humans trapped there are afflicted by an alien species of biological mimics—the Fallers—that are intelligent but merciless killers.
Yet these same aliens may hold the key to destroying the threat of the Void forever—if Nigel can uncover their secrets. As the Fallers’ relentless attacks continue, and the fragile human society splinters into civil war, Nigel must uncover the secrets of the Fallers—before he is killed by the very people he has come to save.
Praise for The Abyss Beyond Dreams
“The work of an author at the top of his game.”—Science Fiction and Fantasy World
“Incredibly robust and exciting and rousing, sharing flavors of Jack Vance, John Wright, China Miéville, Orson Scott Card, and A. E. van Vogt . . . Hamilton’s deployment of lots of grand super-science is utterly deft and convincing.”—Locus
“Solidy engrossing fare . . . The characters, always Hamilton’s strength, remain as distinctive as ever.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Everything one wants in sf—great characters, mind bending stuff, adventure, politics, romance, revolution . . . just superb.”—Fantasy Book Critic
“Hamilton does a particular kind of planetary politics and space opera very well, and this is a perfect example of it. . . . [The Abyss Beyond Dreams is] a satisfying and well-oiled story, with potential for more epic adventure to come.”—Booklist
Reviews
Excellent read
5By Sounds angryGreat addition to the series.Hamilton is an incredible talent
5By PavlexanderGreat stuff. Commonwealth and Void were fantastic. Salvation builds on the Great North Road, and exceeds. A brilliant writer with an incredible imagination, with an easy humorous prose swathing across incredibly complex scientific knowledge of the day and applied conjecture into the seemingly impossible technologies that require the suspension of disbelief. But Peter F is a master of the Space Opera, and a genius story teller, all while keeping the language simple, and of course the dramatic tension maintains tenacity throughout the reading (no slips into a hundred pages of muddling anywhere. Well paced. And long, because it’s a great story long that needs this length to fully complete satisfaction. Ibid Great stuff.Perfection
5By Momento AnimaAs always....except that I'm always left wanting more.amazing
5By StarshipAIThis author fills the gap in my heart by the early departure of the gifted Iain M Banks. Hard sci fi lives on...Great book
5By jjd4eabo4Could not sit the book down. Great story lines that are brilliantly developed.FANTASTIC!!!
5By igeroWonderfully written can't wait for the conclusion.The abyss beyond...
4By Radguy55I always find Hamiltons work eminently enjoyable and interesting. An hard science fiction fan, his work is often somewhat fantastical to me and lacking in solid sources. So what ? He spins a great yarn and I thank him.Amazing
5By The Arab GodThis was vary very good... If you are a commonwealth fan you should not be disappointed... In fact I think it is a bit better than Agee of the others as far as him knowing more about how to end the books a lot better these days it would seem which is really the last issue I had with Peter. But this was flawless. It defiantly is a great book if you loved the water walker dreams story line from the void trilogy and it's gear to get more of a feel for Nigel as a more in depth character. I'm excited to see where Peter takes the rest of the story in the next book! I can't wait!