Pandora's Star

Peter F. Hamilton

Mar 2004 · The Commonwealth Saga Book 1 · Sold by Del Rey

About this ebook

“An imaginative and stunning tale of the perfect future threatened . . . a book of epic proportions not unlike Frank Herbert’s Dune or Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy.”—SFRevu

The year is 2380. The Intersolar Commonwealth, a sphere of stars, contains more than six hundred 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 one thousand light-years away, a star . . . disappears. Since the location is too distant to reach by wormhole, the Second Chance, a faster-than-light starship commanded by Wilson Kime, a five-times-rejuvenated ex-NASA pilot, is dispatched to learn what has occurred and whether it represents a threat.

Opposed to the mission are the Guardians of Selfhood, led by Bradley Johansson. Shortly after the journey begins, Kime wonders if the crew of the Second Chance has been infiltrated. But soon enough he will have other worries. Halfway across the galaxy, something truly incredible is waiting: a deadly discovery whose unleashing will threaten to destroy the Commonwealth . . . and humanity itself.

“Should be high on everyone’s reading list . . . You won’t be able to put it down.”—Nancy Pearl, NPR

“Recommended . . . A large cast of characters, each with his own story, brings depth and variety to this far-future saga.”—Library Journal

Ratings and reviews

One of my favorite Scifi series starts with this book. The intro is delightful. Note to future readers, the author is a world builder and this is a space opera. There are times where even I, as a fan, struggled through what I thought was boring details, but it comes back around and is connected. There is something fun in knowing how different societies, planets, technologies, etc. work. So be prepared for a detailed narrative told through many different recurring characters' experiences and enjoy the ride.

This is one of those books that absolutely blew me away with the scope of imagination. Combining masterful storytelling, intriguing characters and a vision of humanity's future let loose to explore the galaxy. My expectations of what great science fiction can do was radically heightened after reading this. I could not get enough Hamilton after finishing this, a problem im still trying to cope with on a daily basis.

This is the most broad scoped and finely detailed science fiction book I have ever read - an page turner even at over a thousand pages. The story lines and characters are a bit much to follow at first but it quickly comes together and becomes something unexpected and refreshing. I am looking forward to digging into the second book right away.

About the author

Peter F. Hamilton is the author of numerous novels, including A Night Without Stars, The Abyss Beyond Dreams, 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.