Pandora's Star Review

Pandora's Star is a Novel by Peter F Hamilton. It was originally published in 2004.

After a very cool prolog, Hamilton sets up the confederation universe very effectively while wasting no time getting into the plot. What a universe he paints, the introduction of wormholes and longevity treatments to a late 21st century society allows humanity to spread over hundreds of planets. Connected quite interestingly by the lord of all rail networks(trains and wormholes). The almost unlimited opportunity for expansion added to longevity creates an ultra capitalistic society where single Patriarchs/Matriarchs control dynasties with power over the productivity of large sections of humanity, and the socialists aren't happy about it(Damn right to.). That said humanity in the whole seems happy with the arrangement leading to something of a golden age. Until a 5th rate academic on a frontier world observes the near instantaneous enclosure of two stars, and sets a course of events in to action that may lead to humanity's very extinction. Hamilton current undisputed Space Opera champion of the world doesn't neglect his roots( which are thrillers with a Sci-Fi twist for those who don't know.) With the intriguing character of Paula Myo he expertly intertwines a thriller element. Is all as it seems? Why are humanities leaders so keen to investigate the enclosure?

Hamilton's prose is fantastic, he weaves his story with so much detail that sometimes its easy to get lost in his descriptions. Its only on a second (or subsequent) read do you find the real thought that Hamilton has put into his work. Like the master of his art that he is, a seemingly throw away line of description actually foreshadows future plot points. Giving re reads those fun parts where you go “Wait a minute.....that's....no way.” Being a weighty tome (1152 pages) I haven't got round to re-reading Pandora's star, until recently. Don't get me wrong I have reread sections over the years and its highly likely I did indeed re-read the whole book prior to the release of the 2nd book Judas Unchained in 2005(my memory fails me though.). Its only been me getting my sweaty little hands on the audio-book that has enabled me to re “read” the book in full the customary two times it seems I need to really pick up on the nuances. Like other books of the same high pedigree, Pandora's star gets better with every read/listen. Giving up more detail and texture that may have been missed in the head long rush to find out what happens next.

In conclusion this book is highly recommended, but be warned it is the first of two books in the series and the follow up series set in the same universe brings the total pages to somewhere in the region of 5000. If you start reading this book it will lead to you losing an appreciable amount of your life over the next 6 months, but its well worth it.