From the Bookshelf of The Sword and Laser…

Pandora's Star (Commonwealth Saga, #1)

Peter F. Hamilton

Start date: March 1, 2022

Finish date: March 31, 2022

Discussion: Pandora's Star

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Pandora's Star

Morning Light Mountain heavy metal song, of course
By Tamahome · 6 posts · 25 views

last updated Mar 25, 2023 08:23AM

PS: The Book's Pacing: Is it Slow For You, Too?
By Anne · 91 posts · 215 views

last updated Sep 09, 2022 12:06PM

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What Members Thought

Apr 08, 2022 Jenny (Reading Envy) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sword-and-laser, sci-fi-fantasy, 2022-laser, read2022, april, mighty-tomes

1143 pages later, I finally finished Pandora's Star, the March pick for @swordandlaser. I didn't love every minute but kept going because the whole point is exposure to a wide variety of fantasy and science fiction books!
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Where to even begin. If lives can be repeated through rejuvenation and the entire universe is your worldbuilding, how can an author even fit it into one book? (He didn't; this ends on a cliffhanger and moves right into Judas Unchained.)

The book was published in 2004 and sometim ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Feb 28, 2007 Steve Coughlan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: scifi

Huge, enthralling sci-fi masterpiece. 1000 pages ending in a cliffhanger -- traditional sci-fi set in 2380, with fantastic technology and aliens (both inscrutable and malevolent). A large cast of character, including one we haven't even met yet... A can't-put-it-down page-turner with a fascinating mystery. All to be resolved in the sequel, Judas Unchained (not out yet... arrrgh). And Peter F. Hamilton usually uses the titles to tell us something about the content... ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 24, 2012 travelgirlut rated it really liked it

Wow! I didn't expect such big things from an author I hadn't heard of before. I kept seeing his name in lists of must-read sci-fi books when I was looking for something new to read, and since my library had it, I figured I'd check it out. Hamilton builds this book like the beginning of an epic fantasy series. When the action didn't start until page 700-something in a 900ish page book, I was really worried that there was going to be a rushed ending and that was that. I didn't know there was a seq ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 08, 2008 John rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I found this at our local used book store, and wowza. Granted I'm a sci-fi nut, but Hamilton surprised me, with how deep his universe goes and how well he lays it all out.

My only gripe, and this isn't a Hamilton problem, but I had no idea it was a two parter, until I was 7/8s done and the story wasn't resolving, a quick flip to the back page, and low and behold, a second part.

If you're into the deeper sci-fi stories that have real people and lots of them, this two book series is a must. I'm rea ...more

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Jan 29, 2014 Nat rated it really liked it

Shelves: digital-owned

So I really liked this book. Great mixture of Sci-Fi (both of the futuristic city and space ship kind), Detective Mystery, Romance and Drama. The book kept me guessing at many turns.

The only problem, is the book is way too long. I haven't read the second book in this series, but the author totally could have finished it all up instead of leaving basically all of the plot threads open. That being said, I'll totally read the second book. ...more

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Aug 05, 2007 Chad rated it it was ok

Had to push myself through the first 30 pages and remind myself that reading scifi requires some patience, especially in the beginning (it takes some time for even the best writers to introduce us to entirely new worlds and universes). I'll keep reading this.

Well, there were too many seemingly insignificant characters to keep track of. I won't be reading the next book in the series ...more

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