The Abyss Beyond Dreams: A Novel of the Commonwealth

Peter F. Hamilton

Oct 2014 · Commonwealth: Chronicle of the Fallers Book 1 · Sold by Del Rey

About this ebook

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

Ratings and reviews

Like all of Hamilton's Commonwealth books, this one is full of complex, interesting and creative ideas, politics, and most of all, characters. A very creative expansion on a location and concept we've already been exposed to in the Void Trilogy series. There are plenty of fun throwbacks to the already established events, characters, and world of the larger Commonwealth universe but the story holds up on its own, so far. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

A mashup of old and new characters, but too similar to the previous fantasy segments which take place within the void, with a few of those on foot expedition chapters, not as good as Ozzie's first expedition, but with a few great scenes which makes ploughing through all that political rebel crap almost worth it. I was not a huge fan of Edard's segments in The Void, but this is what it should have been like, maybe he is trying to redeem those awful chapters. I will read the next one because I'm a PFH junkie.

Its like the void books but totally rotated and viewed in a new way. Different but still familiar and fun character development. Interesting and new tweaks on concepts introduced in the void trilogy. Sets up for an even more unique sequel...

About the author

Peter F. Hamilton is the author of numerous novels, including Great North Road, The Evolutionary Void, The Temporal Void, The Dreaming Void, Judas Unchained, Pandora’s Star, Misspent Youth, Fallen Dragon, and the acclaimed epic Night’s Dawn trilogy (The Reality Dysfunction, The Neutronium Alchemist, and The Naked God). He lives with his family in England.