Pandora's Star
Peter F. Hamilton
(Reviewer - D. H. BROWN)
2004 DelRay/Ballantine
ISBN: 0345461622

In 2380 The Intersolar Commonwealth, a sphere of stars some 400 light-years in diameter, is connected by a web of transport wormholes.

At the furthest edge of the Commonwealth, astronomer Dudley Bose observes the impossible. Over 1000 light-years away a star simply 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 & 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, & they warn of sabotage, fearing the Starflyer will use the Second Chance's mission for its own purposes.

All too soon Wilson Kime discovers that the Starflyer & the Guardians of Selfhood are the least of his worries.

Sr. Staff Reviewer D. H. BROWN writes:

Peter F. Hamilton is definitely not afraid to tackle either the imaginable or unimaginable. & he always does it with incredible style & vision. This is not a timid writer, he doesn't employ the shortcuts to cut a story down to size, but instead reaches out & with great flourishes invents whole new universes wherein he sets his characters.

Pandora's Star comes from a niche in science fiction that is becoming a Hamilton tradition which includes the Night Dawn's Trilogy & of course, Fallen Dragon. This author always makes me feel like Isaac Asimov or Frank Herbert is looking over his shoulder & guiding his pen.

The talent that Peter Hamilton exhibits is rare on the SF stage. He not only takes you to new worlds, he creates & then explains them to you so you really understand. His good is not always good, his evil is not always evil but when you finish, you know the difference.

I like the ride he takes me on & the visions he gives my mind's eye allows for escapism to become a virtue. Yes, his stories are long, epic space operas that cover two, sometimes three, books. But how else can you describe a whole new universe? People it, & make you believe it exists?

I thoroughly enjoyed Pandora's Star. It takes one of my rare 4 teapots & I eagerly await The End of the Commonwealth Saga in Judas Unchained.

More from Peter F. Hamilton:
Fallen Dragon
Night's Dawn Trilogy: The Reality Dysfunction Part 1: Emergence
Part 2: Expansion
The Confederation Handbook: The Essential Companion Guide to the Night's Dawn Trilogy
The Neutronium Alchemist Part 1: Consolidation
Part 2: Conflict
The Naked God Part 1: Flight
Part 2: Faith
A Second Chance at Eden
(02/27/05)

D. H. BROWN
A RebeccasReads.Com Sr. Staff Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
D. H. BROWN is the author of the critically acclaimed HONOR DUE and the Citizens Warrior Series. The son of missionary parents and with the help his Uncle Sam, he has touched base in more than 40 countries.  In 1986 he produced the independent children's film Lessie's Rainbow.  During the late 80s and early 90s, he wrote the book Common Sense and delivered the seminars of the same name for the Community Action Network of Seattle (CAN).  While doing his early Vietnam recovery work, he counseled Veterans and spoke widely to men's groups in Washington state, and was a founder of The Lodge of the Wolf.

D. H. BROWN has worked as a Logistics and Weapons Specialist in Viet Nam; day laborer; Director of Security; Armored Car Driver; Police Officer; Professional Hunting Guide; Trapper; Dog Sledder; Homesteader; Truck Driver; General Contractor; Minister; Editor; Writer; Speaker; Restaurateur; Movie Producer; Antique Restoration Specialist; Personal Care Worker; PC Repair Specialist; Computer Instructor; Webmaster and Web Designer. "I write about what I know."

He lives deep in the Pacific Northwest rainforest with his wife, author and editor Rebecca and Buddy Dog, working on his next book.
Visit him at: www.dhbrownbooks.com