A Hole in The Sky

Arkship #1

by Peter F. Hamilton

From internationally bestselling author Peter F. Hamilton comes the first in a new, coming of age trilogy where life on a generation ship takes a turn for the worst when the delicate cycle of life is disturbed... A great read for fans of Alastair Reynolds and Miles Cameron.

Sixteen-year old Hazel lives in the Daedalus, a generation ship on a centuries long flight in search of a new world. The ship has been traveling for 500 years, searching for a world to settle in after having to abandon its last world. Everyone on board Daedalus lives a very simple existence in farming villages. The age of machines supplying their needs was lost during a mutiny 500 years ago. The AI captain regained control of the ship after a huge struggle. Now, with finite resources, everything in the habitat is Cycled, including humans, who essentially are suicided at 65 so they don't deplete the biosphere's resources.

Hazel encounters the Cheaters, people who refused to Cycle, who tell her the Daedalus has been damaged and its atmosphere is leaking away. When her brother has a paralyzing accident which condemns him to be Cycled since he can no longer be productive, Hazel runs off with him to join the Cheaters. While with the Cheaters, she discovers that much of what has been told to the people living on Daedalus for the last 500 years is untrue, and soon, Hazel is in a thrilling race to help repair the ship and help the people of the Daedalus.

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Space Opera, Young Adult, Space, Aliens

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 16, 2021

About the author

Peter F. Hamilton is a British science fiction author. He is best known for writing space opera. As of the publication of his tenth novel in 2004, his works had sold over two million copies worldwide, making him Britain's biggest-selling science fiction author.

Reviews

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hazel is a 16 year old living on the starship Daedalus which has been traveling 500 years to find a new world to settle. Years ago most of their technology was destroyed during a mutiny and the people survive now by farming. Since resources are scarce, people who are unable to contribute are Cycled. Some people, the Cheaters, who refused to be Cycled have run away and are living in hiding until one reappears and warns Hazel about an impending disaster.

This is the first book of a new trilogy, available in audio format only. That is unfortunate, because the narrator (Elizabeth Klett) has an annoyingly chirpy British accent and she is unable to differentiate characters. That is a problem. My other problem with this book is that it is labeled as adult, while it is really YA. When the main character spends considerable time deciding between (and kissing) her suitors and gossiping with her friend, it’s YA as far as I’m concerned. It also has the typical YA storyline of the teenaged protagonist knowing more than everyone around her, going on a mission and discovering she is specially anointed to save the day.

Every once in a while there is an information dump from one of the Cheaters that brings Hazel, and the readers, up to speed. The AI also conveniently have solutions for almost every problem. At the end of the book Hazel finds out what is really happening on Daedalus. In book two she will have to share that information with the rest of the passengers. I didn’t hate the story but I am not a YA fan, so I am probably not the right audience for this book.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say it's a solid YA SF--assuming you haven't read MANY others just like it.

Unfortunately, between the breaking-down generational starship, tight resource terrors, AI, and adventure through the history and architecture of the ship, it reads like an old-school regular adventure.

I don't think it's bad, but it doesn't break any new ground or pass gracefully into originality.

BUT, it feeling exactly like a YA, that may be a benefit, not a detriment.

It doesn't quite do it for me, however. It was OKAY.

[Charlotte Rebecca Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read! If sci-fi is your vibe definitely give it ago, I wasn’t blown away but I also wasn’t disappointed and was kept wanting to know more, I’m excited to see where the rest of the series goes.

Thank you to Angry Robot for sending me an ARC copy in the post!

Release date: 20th January 2026

[Carlex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars

I am a fan of Peter F. Hamilton, so I appreciate all of his books. However, I must say that this is clearly a young adult novel, despite the author's claims to the contrary. That said, the book offers good adventures and a sense of wonder in the always interesting topic of generational starships, and for me this is enough.

On the other hand this is my first fiction audiobook, so both the author and novel are perfect for me right now. I am looking forward to the second novel,The Captain's Daughter, which will be published next month.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a story told from the view of a 16 year old girl aboard a generational arkship searching for a world to settle. In order to conserve resources, elderly and those who can’t contribute are culled. Sounds like a great start to a new series but it felt like it was geared toward middle grade or YA. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I hadn’t read any other Hamilton books. I had expectations of world building and sci-fi tech that were never met.

[Wee Lassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Low tech in the middle of space? That’s my jam!!! 😎😄 Yes, I’m aware it’s because of reasons in the story … let me have my fun.

[Marc · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a YA novel - you’ve been warned. My rating is from the perspective of a hardcore adult PFH fan. Not recommending it and not planning to continue reading.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok young adult science fiction. Definitely not a must-read.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hole in the sky
By Peter f Hamilton and Elizabeth klett

This is an amazing story.. showing how propaganda can affect generations. The story of space colonization and personal trust of government.
I like the audible version that brings you into the story.
The character development is amazing. I like the strong femal heroine.
The characters have universal appeal.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I'm glad i knew going in that it was YA, otherwise I'd have been a little surprised. The writing and world building is not what I would expect from Hamilton. It wasn't bad, not at all, just not remotely as detailed as I like, and am used to. But it was a fine story. And it's piqued just enough interest to continue on I think.

[Baru · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great idea ruined by the most boring love story I have ever read.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I loved this novel! And I’m even happier knowing that this is only book 1 and I’m going to stay in this world with these characters for a while longer!

Science fiction is one of my favourite genres, so I leapt at the opportunity to read A Hole in The Sky, especially with that premise. Picture a spaceship that hosts a series of villages where people live like they’re on a planet (with waterfalls, houses, etc.), whilst travelling through space in search of a liveable new one. Not only that, but people are only allowed to live until they’re 65, when they are recycled. I think you already guessed that not everything is as it seems, and Hazel and her friends will just find out how much worse.

This story is so dense, in terms of plot, characters arc, twists and action. Even so, the pages fly by, and the reader is ever so captivated as the story gets more and more complicated and mysteries are revealed!
I can easily say that I'm in love with Hazel, with her infectious curiosity and determination and her inspiring ambition, teaching us never to settle.

I'm very much looking forward to what's next, no actually, I NEED to know what's next!
For everyone in need to escape in a fantastic world with unpredictable events, this book is it.

Thanks to the author and Angry Robot for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Mark Cheverton (scifipraxis) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hamilton's latest YA trilogy is a bit of a departure from his space operatic doorstops. In his 400-page opening novel, we follow the coming-of-age story of Hazel, growing up in a generation ship's fallen agrarian population. Five centuries ago, a mutiny wrecked the machines and left the survivors under the 'electronic captains' rule.

Harsh laws have been imposed to stabilise the population at a sustainable primitive level while they await arrival at their fabled destination. But when a hole in the sky threatens to make the ship uninhabitable, a pastoral society unused to change is ill-equipped and even unwilling to do anything about it.

The constrained setting means a much greater character focus, which Hamilton pulls off for Hazel as she uncovers the lies that rule their existence and has to step up to the crisis. In places, she's frustratingly naive about the politics of change, but on the whole, she's a humanist protagonist I liked and wanted to succeed.

The rest of the cast is flat and stereotypical. But I didn't find too much of a problem in this shorter form, except for the key character of Hazel's brother who I wish had more depth than just the clichéd ADHD smart kid.

The obvious question is - has Hamilton added anything new to a very familiar trope? Whilst the answer, for now, is no, this first book is a clear character-focused setup for the rest of the trilogy where I expect Hamilton will show us something new. Regardless, I love a generation ship story, and this one is well executed, with a likeable protagonist, a strong dose of action, and solid worldbuilding. I'm keen to see where it goes next.

Disclosure: ARC kindly provided by the publisher @angryrobotbooks for review

[Bookphenomena (Micky) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Headlines:
Floating world
Life but not as simple as it seemed
Layers of story

I found myself rather captivated by this world and it's characters. I did not go into this read realising it was YA in nature, but it didn't reduce my enjoyment. This was a well crafted sci-fi with a group of characters of that age, acting in that level of maturity but mostly without unneccesary drama.

The female MC was living a simple life, expecting her cycle of 65 years on an arkship travelling to a new terraformed world. Everyone had to play their part, there was limited power or technology for reasons that were revealed. It became clear after a short while that there was something subversive going on, on this vast ship. John and Frazer were favourite characters.

As the plot evolved, it thickened to a many-layered plot that I really appreciated. It was fast-paced and gripping. The second half of the book really took off and left me wanting more in the end.

Overall, a fun series starter and I am looking foward to reading more.

Thank you Angry Robots for the early review copy.

[Kp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will first start by saying that I generally enjoy books by Peter Hamilton. I found this book to fall a bit flat, as an audiobook, the characters are likeable but the storyline is a bit predictable in some places.

I applaud Hamilton for trying something new and developing a whole new world but I'm a creature of habit, and wanted more of what I am use to with his writing. It's definitely not the typical space operas that I've come to love from Hamilton but I would add, for someone just introduced to his writing, it may be something easier to tackle.

I struggled a bit with my rating because I expected typical Hamilton, with excellent world building and depth in the characters, but as a YA novel, it seemed too simplistic. We're introduced to 16-year old Hazel, who lives on an arkship setting forth to a new world. Because resources are scant, thanks to a rebellion, the ship has a cycling ceremony to get rid of the old people to end their drain on the limited resources. This is where we learn about the "issue" affecting the ship's inhabitants.

Because the main narrator, as well as several characters, such as Hazel's brother and best friend, are teenagers, they approach the "issue" of the arkship very naively. I struggled a lot here because it felt as if Hamilton was a bit indecisive of whether he wanted this to be a full YA novel or have some appeal to his adult fan base.

Although there are two more novels to come, it generally feels as if it follows the premise of YA novels…teenager finds out something is affecting his/her community, bands together with friends to figure it out, stumbles across too much information, and then has to fight it out. I'll stick it out with the series and update my review as it continues.

I received as a free listen from NetGalley for an honest review.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I'm generally a fan of Peter F Hamilton's books, I found this one to be pretty juvenile. On the whole I liked the story being told, but the main character, Hazel, was a bit of a Mary-Sue and a little too preoccupied with boys, which is understandable being that she's a teenager raised in a rural environment. Several of the other main characters are pretty 2-dimensional as well, as is often something i find with books written in the first person, only the POV character (and anyone that spends a lot of time with them, in this case that would be Frazer who I did like, but even he was pretty 2-dimensional as "the genius" of the group) gets any devleopment. I'll definitely read the sequels to see where the story goes, but I'm hoping the characters get more fleshed out and Hazel grows up a bit.

[Luke Burrage]

Very early on, I felt this story was a bit weak and simple. Was it a YA book and I didn't realise before spending an audible credit?

Yup! I checked up on Goodreads and found loads of three star rating from people saying it might be good if you're 13, but not if you were wanting more typical Peter F Hamilton material.

I asked for my audible credit back, and now I'm seriously considering spending it on a Reality Dysfunction re-read.

No rating for this as I only made it a few chapters in, and it's obviously not written for me.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little leery at the start of this book. Not sure about the narrator and the story just wasn’t adding up to what I expected from Hamilton. Then......BAM......and I was hooked till the end when John showed up.
Book 2 cannot come soon enough.

[Vestigial · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Superficial everything, YA, very not like PFH.

[Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool concept but it's really hard to care about these people.

[Joe Karpierz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter F. Hamilton, known for his "wide screen" (no, that's not something I came up with on my own) space operas, full of dozens of characters, menacing aliens, multiple viewpoints, and large scale space battles, and complex plots, has done something completely different. He's written a YA novel. A HOLE IN THE SKY is the first volume, if you will, in the Arkship Trilogy. I say "if you
will" because the novel is released in audio form only, and quite frankly I'm not sure if the term volume still applies, although I suppose it does.

The fact that it is a YA novel is not the only departure for Hamilton. Whereas his other novels are told from multiple viewpoints, A HOLE IN THE SKY is a first person narrative told in a linear fashion. Hamilton is well known for his complex plots covering multiple characters in different settings. The characters and plotlines eventually converge, bringing together everything and
everyone into one climactic and scintillating event that typically leaves the reader wanting for more. Not so with A HOLE IN THE SKY.

The novel takes place in the arkship Daedalus. As with most generational starship stories, the Daedalus is searching for a new home after leaving the Earth. The Daedalus is on its second search, leaving behind the first world that it found because of indigenous life forms. It is thus on a 500 year journey to its second home.

People in the Daedalus live a very simple life, almost, but not quite a type of pre-technology life. And while it's a simple life, mostly consisting of farming, there is some technology, most of which is in the control of the law enforcement team, known as the Regulators, and the medical team, which has some rudimentary technology. The arkship is in this state because some time in
the past there was a rebellion, during which most of the technology was destroyed. The captain held off the rebellion, but in the process uploaded herself into the computer systems to become "the Electric Captain", who occasionally appears on the video screens in each of the villages to give announcements and make pronouncements. The people who live in the Daelalus live a simple life,
looking forward to the time that they land on their new home.

Because the ship is on what amounts to a second voyage, everything must be rationed and cycled, which includes the humans themselves. At the age of 65 (as I remember, I could be wrong at this point), all humans are cycled for the good of the remaining humans living on the Daedalus. Our protagonist, Hazel, a late teenage girl participating in Cycling Day, is given a message by one of the
Cheaters - those who run away to live past their Cycling Date. She is told that the atmosphere is leaking out of the Daedalus, which is the cause of the headaches everyone is having. After her brother suffers an accident that leaves him paralyzed, Hazel and her brother go off in search of the Cheaters. While with the Cheaters she discovers that everything she has been told is a lie, and that
the residents of the Daedalus are in grave danger.

Yes, this is a YA novel. Yes, this is different from anything Hamilton has ever done. But you can see typical Hamilton stuff within this novel. Our protagonists are in grave danger from an alien threat (while this may seem like a spoiler to some, in reality anyone who had consumed a Hamilton novel knows that alien threats are the norm). The Electric Captain is not really on their side - again, not a surprise for anyone who has read any Hamilton prior to this. And while there isn't some "wide screen scope" that Hamilton readers are used to, there is enough here that reminds the reader that this is really is a Hamilton novel.

Is it any good? Well, I think so. As a rule, I don't read YA (I've been putting off reading the Alastair Reynolds YA novels, but A HOLE IN THE SKY may get me started reading those.), but as this was a Peter F. Hamilton book I couldn't resist giving it a try. Once I gave it a chance, I did enjoy it. I've been reading a few reviews from folks saying that they didn't like it because it was not what they're used to from Hamilton. You know, that's okay. You don't have to like every book by an author whose works you love. Yes, it's different. But different doesn't have to mean it's bad. And A HOLE IN THE SKY is not bad. It's actually quite good.

The other thing that should be discussed is the narrator. Elizabeth Katt is not John Lee, the usual narrator for Hamilton's audio books. But that's okay. I don't think Lee should have been the narrator for this YA effort. Is Katt the right narrator for this? She certainly seems to be okay for it. I definitely had no problem with her narration. A different narrator for a different type of
book is certainly called for. Many of those same reviewers I mentioned earlier didn't like her narration. I think it's because they are used to something else from Hamilton, including the narrator. I think it's important to keep an open mind on these things. In any event, I think both the story and the narrator worked, at least for me. I think it will work for most folks if they just give it a chance.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Hole in the Sky by Peter F. Hamilton is the first book in the "Arkship" trilogy. This book is a YA Space Opera set on an Arkship that is several hundred years into its voyage. The storyline follows the basic premise for this type of science fiction. That being, an ark ship is travelling to a new world with technology lost and attendant problems. I was mildly disappointed in this book in that it read much like a Heinlein juvenile from decades past. I enjoyed those books when I was much younger, but not so much now that I am an older man. I will keep reading Peter F. Hamilton, but I probably will not finish this trilogy.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hamilton’s Arkship series is a homage to Heinlein’s space operas, especially Orphans of the Sky, in which passengers on a sub-light starship have forgotten much of the science on which their craft is based. Hazel, Hamilton’s young heroine, is an homage to Heinlein’s matriarch, Hazel Stone. Her younger brother, Frazer, will remind you of many of Heinlein’s precocious kids. If you ever liked the Heinlein juvies, you should enjoy this updated version. Like Heinlein, Hamilton is always careful with his science.

[فرهاد ذکاوت]

DNF
Guidance school girls' SciFi story. Seems triology belongs to this age range but pubisher (audible-kindle) has not mentioned it. They are under physical publishing as I checked. So, for interested readers, this triology will be available soon. This volume, at least, is not a young adult novel. It belongs to Middle Grade (10-14) range. Maybe volume 2 and 3 cover young adult range.

[Cristina Ivan Enescu · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 starts for the story, but 3 for being audio only.

[Sigríður Júlíusdóttir · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very YA space opera or perhaps rather a New Earth project kind of book.
It’s quite suitable for YA and not a bad listen for us grownups.

[Josh Heffelfinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having never given a review before, it seems I have chosen a difficult one to start on.

This is not the typical Peter F. Hamilton story.

If you are expecting a long, complex, tale, told through the eyes of a dozen characters. Come into this tale knowing he has another ride in store for you.

This is a YA novel told through a single view point.

It tells of Hazel, a 16 year-old girl, aboard an ark ship that has been traveling over 500 years to a new home world. She learns of a hole in the ship that is leaking atmosphere, and follows her as she attempts to close it.

This is a tale of a dystopian society and the morality of questioning obedience.

[Brian Stabler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter F Hamilton's an author I've read, and enjoyed, in the past, but haven't read for some time. A Hole in the Sky is his first YA, and manages to pack almost into it's narrative as his longer works. Maybe it's a bit old school, but it makes for a short, but enjoyable, read. I look forward to reading the subsequent volumes.

Thanks to NetGalley, Angry Robot and the author for an advance copy.

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Checkout this review and more at Disorderly Daydreams blog!

Book #1 of the Arkship trilogy.

Daedalus is a starship on a 500 year voyage, taking a civilization of humans to a new planet. This ship isn't a normal spacecraft though, it is a fully contained habitat that mirrors a wordly environment. The people on the ship are farmers who live in village-type communities, there's even trees and fields and animals. Early on in the voyage, the inhabitants stopped using the machine technology and began to actively prevent anyone from using it. Since these machines were no longer active, it meant that the choice had to be made to begin cycling everything in the habitat to maintain a balance in resources. This included humans who are basically killed at 65-years old.

The story is told from Hazel's point of view. She encounters a group called the Cheaters, who refuse to be Cycled and who are trying to figure out how to use some of the long abandoned tech. Hazel and her brother join up with the resistance group and discover so many secrets that the Daedalus is hiding. Together they uncover a huge problem that could change everything about their home. Who is actually piloting the ship?

I know it's not technically shelved at YA (Hamilton will deny it himself) but it's definitely Young Adult. That's fine, however, Hamilton is a middle-aged man trying to write a 16-year old girl. Unfortunately, Hazel's character felt like he took what he imagined a teen girl would be like (which was nothing like how a teen girl actually is), then overlaid Alice in Wonderland vibes over top of it. It didn't work. It felt weird.

The narrator choice was also a big problem for me. Elizabeth Klett would be great reading something by Jane Austen but she did not fit in this story at all. If there had been a better narrator who did not sound so light and fluffy and properly British, then it could have changed the entire tone of the book in a good way. One annoyance I had with her narrating was that in the beginning, I could not tell if the name of the resistance group was Cheaters or Cheetahs. Her accent was a little thick and it caused some weird confusion. Especially when the story was talking about darting them, which you'd do with cheetahs right?

As for the story itself, it was okay. Everyone was bored during Covid lockdown and this is what Hamilton came up with while being stuck at home. The framework of this one is typical Hamilton, but that's where familiarity ends. Either he wanted to try something completely different, lost a bet with a friend and had to write a teen girl YA space book, or this was written by someone else and published under his name. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, they seemed one-dimensional and boring most of the time, the twist at the end was predictable, and there was a serious lack of tech usage & descriptions that are standard in other Hamilton books.

This one gets a 2 out of 5. I wanted to give up so many times, but kept going because I hoped it would get better (it did not). I don't recommend this book unless you're a completionist reader who wants to read every Hamilton book, or you're a teen girl ages 11-13.

[Sherron Wahrheit · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coming-of-age story perfect for youngsters who want a simple adventure plus the comfort of a HEA ending. Centuries after a mutiny on a generational has destroyed virtually all technology on board, the remaining people have been reduced to an agrarian lifestyle—along with some unsavory traditions. The story begins when our heroine learns the possible cause of her sudden and mysterious migraines. But what can she do? Later, when a brutal shipboard tradition threatens her brother’s life, she rebels against the village conformists (and deniers) in order to save his life. While following her chosen path of rebellion, she learns that the entire spaceship is in a grave danger that only she can avert. A group of friends follow her leadership, each displaying loyalty, courage, and resilience. Along the way, she wakens machines that have been dormant since the mutiny—machines that are so advanced that they seem like magic from a fantasy rather than technology. As a result, this novel should appeal to a broad audience of people other than SF diehards.

I am grateful to NetGalley for this peek at Peter Hamilton’s latest audiobook. I only wish it had been mind blowing like the last book of his I read.

I’m not sure who is responsible, but some curator should be made aware that the book’s ISBN number on goodreads and NetGalley don’t match.