Many of Peter F. Hamilton’s dazzling novels, which offer startling perspectives on tomorrow’s technological and cultural trends, are ep...
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Feb 05, 2012
Kyle
rated it: 
I started out by giving this book a 5 star rating, but I've dropped it to a 4 for reasons I shall explain.
One of the best things about Peter F. Hamilton's writing has been his ability to write lots of different plots at the same time, and at the very end bring them together in a powerful and entertaining way. Its not quite like Max Barry (author) or Guy Richie (director), as his books are much longer than theirs. But the idea is still the same, having many characters and plots going More...
One of the best things about Peter F. Hamilton's writing has been his ability to write lots of different plots at the same time, and at the very end bring them together in a powerful and entertaining way. Its not quite like Max Barry (author) or Guy Richie (director), as his books are much longer than theirs. But the idea is still the same, having many characters and plots going More...
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Nov 10, 2008
Barry
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Over the last few years I have become an increasingly keen fan of the works of Peter F Hamilton, and his latest work, The Temporal Void, has done nothing to change that trend. Weighing in at some 700 pages it is not for those with little time to read, especially as it is book two of his new "Void" trilogy which began with "The Dreaming Void" in 2007, which itself is a sequel to his previous "Commonwealth" duo of books (Pandora's Star/Judas Unchained) released in (2
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Jan 26, 2012
Adam
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Very much enjoyed the first book of this series -- though it falls more on the "entertainment" side of my reading spectrum, versus "enriching" or "artistic." It weaves together space opera with fantasy novel in a way I don't believe I've encountered anywhere else.
This one suffers a bit from the usual middle-of-a-trilogy problem: begin neither the beginning nor the end of the story means it often feels like it's killing time. Dropping a hundred pages of t More...
This one suffers a bit from the usual middle-of-a-trilogy problem: begin neither the beginning nor the end of the story means it often feels like it's killing time. Dropping a hundred pages of t More...
Jan 18, 2012
Lee
rated it:
This is the second in the Void trilogy by Hamilton and follows on from The Dreaming Void. Again this book is split between the story outside the void, where factions of human civilization fight to stop or allow the voyage into the void, something only humans can enter. Alongside are several alien races, all bent on stopping the voyage, as it will mean the void will grow and consume the known universe. These aliens include a part of the Prime alien that nearly destroyed humanity in his previous C
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Oct 20, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
This is the second part of the Void trilogy, a space opera set 1500 years in the future. There are two distinct story threads to the book; the first is a militaristic, galaxy spanning, high-tech, action adventure taking place in the ‘Commonwealth’. In the previous book this civilisation had recently become aware of the titular Void, which (as it turns out) is an artificial slowly expanding mini-Universe at the centre of the galaxy. The story follows the actions of the various parties who want to
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Sep 27, 2011
Sandi
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The Temporal Void is so clearly the second book in a trilogy that I’m glad that I didn’t start it until the series was complete. Hamilton’s work just keeps getting better and better. My only complaint about this installment is that it had too much of Edeard’s story, but not enough of anyone else’s. Yes, I know that Edeard was my favorite in The Dreaming Void, but the plotlines following Inigo, Araminta, and Justine were important too. Hamilton left these characters hanging way too soon.
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Sep 14, 2011
William
rated it:
Sequel to: The Dreaming Void
My mind tends to wander when a book has over-long descriptions of fight sequences, and then I miss something like Eowyn fighting the Nazgul. I've heard (and had) this complaint about some of Hamilton's previous books, so I was tickled when, in this book, there was a space battle that was over practically before an aide had finished saying that it started: "That quick?" "That's how they are these days." 1400 pages in, and I haven't felt th More...
My mind tends to wander when a book has over-long descriptions of fight sequences, and then I miss something like Eowyn fighting the Nazgul. I've heard (and had) this complaint about some of Hamilton's previous books, so I was tickled when, in this book, there was a space battle that was over practically before an aide had finished saying that it started: "That quick?" "That's how they are these days." 1400 pages in, and I haven't felt th More...
Jun 10, 2011
Scythan
rated it: 
This book was entertaining, but it had way too many flaws for me to recommend it to anyone.
First of all, it had maybe four storylines, and the first third of the book shoved so many characters down my throat it was ridiculous. Most of them just ended up disappearing or turning up 500 pages later, after I had already forgotten them.
One storyline was the main one for the book, and the rest, looking back, didn't seem to matter at all. Honestly, it seemed to me that the minor sto More...
First of all, it had maybe four storylines, and the first third of the book shoved so many characters down my throat it was ridiculous. Most of them just ended up disappearing or turning up 500 pages later, after I had already forgotten them.
One storyline was the main one for the book, and the rest, looking back, didn't seem to matter at all. Honestly, it seemed to me that the minor sto More...
May 27, 2011
Forrest
rated it:
Trilogies have to deal with a lot of negative associations. This is mostly due to movie trilogies turning the middle episode into a throwaway setup for whatever the third movie is going to be. The problem is less pronounced in books, but you have to admit that it’s hard to get excited for the middle book when you know the climax is just around the corner. Some books and movies subvert this wonderfully. The Temporal Void is not one of them.
Hamilton exploits an interesting aspect of More...
Hamilton exploits an interesting aspect of More...
Mar 27, 2011
Andreas
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A novel in three volumes consisting of:
* The Dreaming Void
* The Temporal Void
* The Evolutionary Void
Like “Night’s Dawn” and the Commonwealth Saga before it, the “Void Trilogy” is not so much a series as one single novel, sprawling over three 1500 page volumes. That’s why it took two months to read. Set over one thousand years after the end of Commonwealth, it reintroduces many of the old familiar characters. While it can be read independently, I would hi More...
* The Dreaming Void
* The Temporal Void
* The Evolutionary Void
Like “Night’s Dawn” and the Commonwealth Saga before it, the “Void Trilogy” is not so much a series as one single novel, sprawling over three 1500 page volumes. That’s why it took two months to read. Set over one thousand years after the end of Commonwealth, it reintroduces many of the old familiar characters. While it can be read independently, I would hi More...
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Nov 14, 2010
Paul
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In The Dreaming Void, we were introduced to the Commonwealth nearly a millennium and a half after the events of Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained. A wide, diverse Commonwealth has exploded into numerous factions and polities, including the strange adherents of Living Dream, seeking a way into the physics-defying realm in the center of the galaxy. Book one was set up, introducing us to the characters, and allowing the reader to slowly start to piece things together. Old friends from the origin
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Sep 02, 2010
Mad
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Peter F. Hamilton's <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Temporal Void is Book 2 in his <span style="font-style: italic;">Void Trilogy</span>. Hamilton is one of my favorite authors, primarily for his Night's Dawn series and the Commonwealth Saga<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>(<span style="font-style: italic;">Pandora's Star and <span style="font-style
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May 12, 2010
Frank
rated it:
Mixing Fantasy and Science fiction genre are an mismatch in this novel
The novel is too long – a lot of side stories without meaning clear meaning
Peter`s vocabulary is growing for each new novel, which can be a strain for the reader
The novel would have been original if it worked
Peter F- Hamilton is without any doubt a highly skilled writer
The novel has good and believable character descriptions and comprehensive «universe details»
Some part of the n More...
The novel is too long – a lot of side stories without meaning clear meaning
Peter`s vocabulary is growing for each new novel, which can be a strain for the reader
The novel would have been original if it worked
Peter F- Hamilton is without any doubt a highly skilled writer
The novel has good and believable character descriptions and comprehensive «universe details»
Some part of the n More...
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Apr 29, 2010
Clay
rated it:
RVolume two of Peter Hamilton's latest trilogy, “The Temporal Void” (Del Rey, $28, 713 pages), is a worthy successor to "The Dreaming Void", and is a complex narrative involving a universe within a universe, dreams communicated to an entire galaxy, an advanced civilization, post-physical existence, aliens, secret agents and an entirely different book about the past wrapped inside of the convoluted, multiple-point-of-view present plot.
Confused? Well, Hamilton goes out of his w More...
Confused? Well, Hamilton goes out of his w More...
Feb 09, 2010
Andy
rated it: 
Riveting.
spoiler alert.
These are notes to myself so that I don't need to reread this book when the conclusion Evolutionary Void comes out August 10th.
Wow there are a lot of characters and sub-plots in this book. I can't complain too much because my favorite storyline got the most coverage in this book: Inigo's dreams of the WaterWalker. The WaterWalker was busy cleaning the gangs out of Makkathran, and gradually discovering more ways he can control and interact with the c More...
spoiler alert.
These are notes to myself so that I don't need to reread this book when the conclusion Evolutionary Void comes out August 10th.
Wow there are a lot of characters and sub-plots in this book. I can't complain too much because my favorite storyline got the most coverage in this book: Inigo's dreams of the WaterWalker. The WaterWalker was busy cleaning the gangs out of Makkathran, and gradually discovering more ways he can control and interact with the c More...
Sep 24, 2011
Lee
rated it:
More wonderful stuff from Hamilton. The book is half science fiction concerning events without the Void, and half fantasy concerning the adventures of Edeard within the Void. Everyone outside the Void knows Edeard's life story and Hamilton carefully scatters bits of dialogue hither and thither to give clues about what's going to happen in those parts of the book. And yet still he manages to make that part of the tale unpredictable, fun, and interesting.
Because of the large cast and More...
Because of the large cast and More...
Jun 29, 2010
Shaun
rated it:
It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Peter F. Hamilton, even after the gigantic deus ex machina he used to conclude his Night's Dawn trilogy. His writing is so compelling---to me, at least---that I can forgive that kind of transgression because the story itself is so interesting.
And now with the second entry in his Void trilogy, The Temporal Void, I find another great novel that feels too short, despite its ponderous length. And in contrast to authors like David Weber, who includes More...
And now with the second entry in his Void trilogy, The Temporal Void, I find another great novel that feels too short, despite its ponderous length. And in contrast to authors like David Weber, who includes More...
Feb 01, 2011
Adam
rated it:
Ok, so I've only read his trilogies so far, but I don't believe Peter Hamilton can write stories shorter than 2000 pages.
Seriously, a trilogy is supposed to be a set of three stories that each wrap up most of their own loose ends at the end of them, but provides some hanging plot hooks that continue on in the next book. Peter Hamilton seems to revel in introducing several new characters each book, and then wrapping up their character arches only in the last book.
Think More...
Seriously, a trilogy is supposed to be a set of three stories that each wrap up most of their own loose ends at the end of them, but provides some hanging plot hooks that continue on in the next book. Peter Hamilton seems to revel in introducing several new characters each book, and then wrapping up their character arches only in the last book.
Think More...
Aug 05, 2010
Marc
rated it:
This Void trilogy is a bit different from most books. It has two completely different stories--one sci-fi, one fantasy. To be perfectly honest, I would rather read the fantasy book about Edeard and what he went through. I find that far more interesting.
The problem with the sci-fi book is that I can't relate to the technology at all. I've also not read the books in the previous trilogies so I don't know the characters all too well and there are a lot of them. I just feel like there's More...
The problem with the sci-fi book is that I can't relate to the technology at all. I've also not read the books in the previous trilogies so I don't know the characters all too well and there are a lot of them. I just feel like there's More...
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Dec 15, 2008
P
rated it:
Another amazing read. I got this for my birthday, and it was ordered from Amazon.uk because it is not available in the US yet.
Make sure to re-read the first book, as Hamilton does not give any background at the beginning of this book...
Make sure to re-read the first book, as Hamilton does not give any background at the beginning of this book...
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Jan 11, 2010
Matt
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The middle book of the Void Trilogy, mixing the story of the future Commonwealth with the fantasy-inspired story of Edeard and Makkathran in the Void.
I love Hamilton's epic space operas, but I have to confess that unless he pulls out a show-stopper in the last book (and being Hamilton, I can't rule that out) this is coming off as his weakest effort so far.
It's not bad, don't get me wrong; it just feels that it's lacking some of the excitement that I got from the excellen More...
I love Hamilton's epic space operas, but I have to confess that unless he pulls out a show-stopper in the last book (and being Hamilton, I can't rule that out) this is coming off as his weakest effort so far.
It's not bad, don't get me wrong; it just feels that it's lacking some of the excitement that I got from the excellen More...
Oct 01, 2009
Sheri
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Temporal Void’s action-packed start begins with the destruction of a research station at the edge of the Void. This is quickly followed by three story strands unfolding, all tight little subplots dealing with the politics of the various factions wanting to go into the Void and wanting to prevent humanity from going into the Void. Second Dreamer Araminta has refused the Sky Lord’s invitation into the Void, upsetting the Living Dream to know end. Living Dream invades her planet and the hunt for he
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Aug 16, 2010
Don
rated it:
Good continuation of Void series. We get to see more of Edeard's life inside the Void which is a lot of fun. Storyline in the regular universe continues to move towards the epic final confrontation we're all expecting from Hamilton.
This book was satisfying for a number of reasons, foremost (for me) being the number of questions it answers (at least partially). For instance:
* What is this Void thing?
* Why do the Living Dream believers want to get inside so badly?
* Wh More...
This book was satisfying for a number of reasons, foremost (for me) being the number of questions it answers (at least partially). For instance:
* What is this Void thing?
* Why do the Living Dream believers want to get inside so badly?
* Wh More...
Feb 07, 2012
Mike
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jun 21, 2010
Tgut
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I haven't read a book by this guy that I haven't liked. On the plus side, his work is some of the most imaginary & creative I've ever read, completely engrossing & real page turners. On the down side, he's so descriptive that his books tend to be a little inflated, which means I sometimes find myself skimming through paragraphs rather than reading them. It's ok though, because I'd rather have more info than less.
This book is as expansive as his other series & delves into the exist More...
This book is as expansive as his other series & delves into the exist More...
Jul 19, 2009
Jeremy
rated it:
I was really looking forward to this trilogy, but I'm finding it less enjoyable than some other books I've read by Peter Hamilton. Half the story in this book takes place inside the void which feels more like fantasy than science fiction.
The void is an alternative universe created by an as-of-yet unknown super intelligent species that have evidently conquered time and space. Inside the laws of physics are changed, life is eternal, and the mind really has control over matter. But t More...
The void is an alternative universe created by an as-of-yet unknown super intelligent species that have evidently conquered time and space. Inside the laws of physics are changed, life is eternal, and the mind really has control over matter. But t More...
Aug 03, 2010
Matus
rated it:
I should admit an immediate prejudice--I view peter f hamilton books as pure-plot, pulpy novels, where the value is in rich characters, interesting events, and good story-telling. I can like reading these books but i find they don't leave me much to think about, which is what i'm looking for.
anyway, i'm not really sure what was the reasoning behind the layout of this book. roughly half is filled with inigo's dreams, which i simply can not enjoy reading. A puerile fantasy where the More...
anyway, i'm not really sure what was the reasoning behind the layout of this book. roughly half is filled with inigo's dreams, which i simply can not enjoy reading. A puerile fantasy where the More...
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Nov 08, 2011
Robert
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While the Void Trilogy is three books, it is only one story. Each of the three could easily have been 2 or even 3 books by themselves. I believe that they were that rich in depth and breadth. I had finished the Commonwealth Saga not too long ago and was blown away by both books. I could not say which I enjoyed more given that again there was a great deal of continuity between the two and I read and reviewed them as one.
Interestingly, the Void Trilogy is set in the same universe 1200 More...
Interestingly, the Void Trilogy is set in the same universe 1200 More...
Sep 16, 2011
Ed
rated it: 
Again largely woeful. The Fantasy sections went on and on for hundreds of pages and this wasn't what I wanted or was expecting (just look at the front cover ffs). Then you find out that <spoiler>all the Fantasy bits are set in some kind of Matrix-esque virtual environment where the user (i.e. the protagonist Edeard) can reset things so their pocket universe works more to their liking anyway</spoiler>. Consequently the entire Fantasy section which bored me senseless for hundreds of pa
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May 11, 2011
Abdulaziz
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