Pandora's Star
Critics have compared the engrossing space operas of Peter F. Hamilton to the classic sagas of such sf giants as Isaac Asimov and Frank Herbert. But Hamilton's bestselling fiction - powered by a fearless imagination and world-class storytelling skills - has also earned him comparison to Tolstoy and Dickens. Hugely ambitious, wildly entertaining, philosophically stimulating: the novels of Peter F. Hamilton will change the way you think about science fiction. Now, with Pandora's Star, he begins a new multivolume adventure, one that promises to be his most mind-blowing yet.
The year is 2380. The Intersolar Commonwealth, a sphere of stars some four hundred light-years in diameter, 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... vanishes. It does not go supernova. It does not collapse into a black hole. It simply disappears. Since the location is too distant to reach by wormhole, a faster-than-light starship, the Second Chance, is dispatched to learn what has occurred and whether it represents a threat. In command is Wilson Kime, a five-time rejuvenated ex-NASA pilot whose glory days are centuries behind him.
Opposed to the mission are the Guardians of Selfhood, a cult that believes the human race is being manipulated by an alien entity they call the Starflyer. Bradley Johansson, leader of the Guardians, warns of sabotage, fearing the Starflyer means to use the starship's mission for its own ends.
Pursued by a Commonwealth special agent convinced the Guardians are crazy but dangerous, Johansson flees. But the danger is not averted. Aboard the Second Chance, Kime wonders if his crew has been infiltrated. Soon enough, he will have other worries. A thousand light-years away, something truly incredible is waiting: a deadly discovery whose unleashing will threaten to destroy the Commonwealth... and humanity itself.
Could it be that Johansson was right?
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Peter F. Hamilton
Peter F. Hamilton's name resonates with fans of sprawling, intricate science fiction tales that blur the boundaries of human ambition, artificial intelligence, and the vast reaches of space. Born in Rutland, England, in 1960, Hamilton has transformed the genre with his ability to weave grand narratives that span centuries and galaxies, all while exploring the intimate threads of human emotion and conflict.
Hamilton’s journey as a writer began in the late 1980s, with his first short story sold to Fear magazine in 1988. But it wasn’t until the release of Mindstar Rising in 1993 that he first captured the imaginations of readers. From there, his reputation skyrocketed, especially with the monumental success of The Night's Dawn Trilogy. This epic space opera marked him as one of the key voices in modern science fiction. His works, often set in detailed universes brimming with complex characters and world-shaking events, quickly made him a fixture on bestseller lists, with millions of copies of his books flying off shelves worldwide.
The Commonwealth Saga
The Commonwealth Saga consists of two books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series Commonwealth Universe
