I was just reading through this chapter, and I couldn’t put the book down. In many ways, while it may not necessarily be a critique of human civilization, it did make me think of critiques of industrialization.
I remember this book from the aliens name, cool book !!! I’ve read a fair few of Hamilton’s books most were bangers some not so hot , one of the top three British authors,with Alistair Reynolds at the number one spot !!!
1/2 way through Judas and I haven’t felt this way about a book since my first run through ASOIAF. Stunning. For comparison I think the Hyperion cantos is probably the only similar story in scope. Truly a gift.
Have both books in that duology sat on my TBR shelf. Have to admit the size is a bit intimidating. I have, on occasion, revised the score of the first in a series based on follow ups.
@@WordsinTime I think the problem I have is that long books have to be REALLY interesting to hold my attention. I think Imajica by Clive Barker is probably the longest novel I've read (to date) in terms of page count.
@@WordsinTime in some ways I miss the old days where novels were about 200 pages. Sometimes less is more. Some of the old authors could cram a lot of thought provoking ideas into 200 pages. Apparently now you have to worry about well fleshed out characters and stuff ;)
@@JohnG225 Haha those pesky characters. Yes, I can’t believe how much Arthur C. Clarke packed into Childhood’s End or Orson Scott Card packed into Ender’s Game.
Haha fair enough, I’ll put it below a spoiler tag. SPOILER BELOW . . . It’s Chapter 18, the one where we learn about the Primes and they examine Dudley and Emmanuelle but they aren’t familiar with the concept of pain. That chapter shook me!
Of course you have to pick up the second book. That one I liked even a bit better (as it has a conclusion) There are also quite a lot more books in this world. BTW: Peter F Hamilton is not know for always succeeding with the ending. But the road to get there is always so good.
I'm about 250 pages in and it's been a bit of a struggle, I feel like I've just read 250 pages of world building. The plot progression can be caught in about 2 sentences and you rarely stick long enough with a single character to really get interested. I'm currently in a chapter where Ozzie is searching for the "real Silfen" which I'm really enjoying, another highlight was the terrorist/Paula Myo chapter.
@@WordsinTime It's a bit crazy we need this kind of patience, but apparently I'm geeky enough that the Dyson Pair mystery can hold my interest 😀 I'm moving extremely slow though, these 250 pages took me about 2 weeks, which is less than half my normal speed.
Im surprised I haven't found/commented on this video considering on others I've mentioned how much I love this duology, but hate the subsequent trilogy. The reason behind why the star disappeared was great! I was so engaged with everything that happened after even if Hamilton is longwinded. But the Void trilogy... you better love the weird fantasy story-in-a-story. I think thats what separates who likes the trilogy or hates it. I loved the "fantasy" sidequest of the duology, but Edeard is MUCH less engaging than Ozzy and crew, as well as the settings.
I just reread The Night's Dawn trilogy by him. He says that's the series that will be on his tombstone. I want to marry Paula Myo. I think Kelly Hu from Xmen 2 could play her in a tv series. Honestly I think Pandora's Star has more good scenes overall than Judas Unchained, although I liked Gore and Cat in Judas Unchained. The beginning of Pandora's Star has a distracting murder mystery part. Once you get to the alien MLM though it's all worth it. There's a certain scene that's very chilling. I'm also a sucker for A.I. characters. The followup Void trilogy is pretty good but I would only want to reread the sf chapters not the fantasy chapters.
🚀 So I ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this in 2011. Apparently I shelved it on GR in 2009 but that was also the year I joined GR, so half my library got shelved for the first time that year. It’s nearly 20 years old now. Blooming brilliant book! I loved that time was taken over the characters, so that I really knew them. Or at least, that is my now ageing recollection!
I loved the description of the Prime developing. This provided a foundation for a really bad adversary. One of my favourite sf books ever. Is there any chance of a movie?.
Yes, I loved that too! I think the scale of this book/duology is so large that it would be tricky to cut down and adapt into a movie, but anything is possible!
I read the book a long time ago, but I seem to remember slogging through the first 300 pages or so and then basically devouring the rest of the book and Judas Unchained within a couple of weeks.I am not very well-read in the sci-fi genre, so I enjoyed listening to your discussion about how this series compared with other sci-fi duologies.
@@petervandeweyer517 I actually just finished that chapter yesterday, and was questioning if I wanted to bother continuing with the book. It has been such a horrible slog so far.
@@CatacombD did you get through it? Because it does burst into life later on and Judas Unchained is great IMHO. I'm on the second book into the Void Trilogy just now. I don't want it to end.
The ending sentence of this book is awesome and makes it mandatory to buy the sequel . ETA. Love both books BTW. p.s "cliff hanger ending" LOL I see what you did there
I like so many thing about this vook so far, but sometimes if feels like a grind. Im on chapter 12 things are getting good so hopeful for the rest of the book. Really like the detective and capitan.
Have you read Anathem by Stephenson? Also kind of a grind but really cool idea. The book has its own word glossary. (I should clarify I don't think a grind is a necessarily bad thing)
No, I finished the book before reviewing it. It is a duology, so at the point at which I made the video I had finished book one, which means I was halfway through the duology. I then made a second video where I talk about both books.
The Commonwealth Saga doesn't begin or end with these two books. "Misspent Youth" (begins) and "The Void Trilogy" (ends, sort of). "The Chronicle of the Fallers" is another lengthy duology in the universe of the Commonwealth Saga. One will spend a great deal of time getting through this entire "opera". And won't be disappointed, unless they have the attention span of a "GenZ".🤣
I don't think this story is anywhere near hard sci fi, its no where near Rendezvous with Rama. The technology and reality bedding is as wild as any high sci fi.
The chapter he refers to MUST be chapter 18, in which Hamilton describes the most alien of alien races I've ever read or watched on screen. It's not spectacular, just terrifying in its single-mindedness and believability. There's a belief among real life scientists that an advanced spacefaring alien civilization MUST be peaceful in nature, otherwise they would destroy themselves before they could reach such an advanced state. Hamilton begs to differ. Chapter 18, Pandora's Star.
Not worth the read. The plot line of the disappearing stars, The Dyson pair, comes along so sparingly that you lose interest in the other 90% of the book. "...sort of like butter spread over too much bread." The story wanders and teases the reader into thinking that the subplots are relevant to the story and brings in superfluous characters that drive the plot nowhere. Skip this one and try Pushing Ice or Seveneves.
It does stretch on for too long. And the subplots do become relevant in the second book but many people may lose interest by then. I agree that Alastair Reynolds and Neal Stephenson are two great authors.
Hamilton can be polarizing even to the same person. I consider this duology the greatest sci-fi story of all time, but absolutely hate all of the other books in his Commonwealth Universe, and consider his other books just average. The whole idea of an interstellar society with no spaceships is so crazy and interesting...
MorningLightMountain is arguably the most unique and imaginative alien I have read. The chapters the create its background are fascinating
Totally agree Peter! It blew me away!
I was just reading through this chapter, and I couldn’t put the book down. In many ways, while it may not necessarily be a critique of human civilization, it did make me think of critiques of industrialization.
I read the book years ago but it was so good I've picked up the audiobook. Best alien consciousness I've experienced from a mainstream book.
I remember this book from the aliens name, cool book !!! I’ve read a fair few of Hamilton’s books most were bangers some not so hot , one of the top three British authors,with Alistair Reynolds at the number one spot !!!
One of my favourite books, great review J
Thanks Moid! I’m looking forward to Judas Unchained. If it sticks the landing it will be pretty high for me too.
The audiobook is phenomenal
Nice, that’s great to hear! I read the mass market paperback, but I always enjoy hearing people’s feedback on the audiobooks.
nothing is more soothing than John Lee saying 'enzyeme bonded concrete'
John Lee’s narration is superb
Have this on my shelf but been putting it off for a while. Good review!
I'm glad you enjoyed the review! It's an epic read but I think it's worth it if you like this kind of sci-fi. Looking forward to Judas Unchained!
1/2 way through Judas and I haven’t felt this way about a book since my first run through ASOIAF. Stunning. For comparison I think the Hyperion cantos is probably the only similar story in scope. Truly a gift.
That’s awesome! I’m glad you’re loving it as much as the Hyperion Cantos!
Cracks me up that the cover blurb called it poetic. That is not the way I would describe his writing.
I enjoy his visual descriptions but I wouldn’t describe his writing as poetic either.
The commonwealth series is easily my fav sci fi series ever. Pandora's Star is amazing and the ideas just keep coming in the books that follow
That’s awesome to hear! Can’t wait to see what’s next in Judas Unchained!
One of the best starts to a book ever!
Yes, I was hooked by the end of the first chapter! It wandered a little bit after that then won me over again haha
Bit late to the party, but just wanted to say that 'The night's dawn' is absolutely brilliant.
Glad you loved it Jay!
Have both books in that duology sat on my TBR shelf. Have to admit the size is a bit intimidating. I have, on occasion, revised the score of the first in a series based on follow ups.
Yes, I actually bumped this from the end of my 2021 TBR because I didn’t think I could fit both of them in. I’m glad I finally got to it this year!
@@WordsinTime I think the problem I have is that long books have to be REALLY interesting to hold my attention. I think Imajica by Clive Barker is probably the longest novel I've read (to date) in terms of page count.
@@JohnG225 I feel similarly. I haven't read many books longer than this. Infinite Jest might be the longest book I've read.
@@WordsinTime in some ways I miss the old days where novels were about 200 pages. Sometimes less is more. Some of the old authors could cram a lot of thought provoking ideas into 200 pages. Apparently now you have to worry about well fleshed out characters and stuff ;)
@@JohnG225 Haha those pesky characters. Yes, I can’t believe how much Arthur C. Clarke packed into Childhood’s End or Orson Scott Card packed into Ender’s Game.
Man, I read this like 15 years ago, you're going to have to give me the chapter number.
Haha fair enough, I’ll put it below a spoiler tag.
SPOILER BELOW
.
.
.
It’s Chapter 18, the one where we learn about the Primes and they examine Dudley and Emmanuelle but they aren’t familiar with the concept of pain. That chapter shook me!
That one was too visceral for me
Of course you have to pick up the second book. That one I liked even a bit better (as it has a conclusion) There are also quite a lot more books in this world. BTW: Peter F Hamilton is not know for always succeeding with the ending. But the road to get there is always so good.
I’m glad to hear you liked Judas Unchained even more. I’m excited for it!
Sounds like an awesome read, definitely added to my tbr!
If you’re in the mood for a hard sci-fi space opera, this is pretty epic!
I'm about 250 pages in and it's been a bit of a struggle, I feel like I've just read 250 pages of world building. The plot progression can be caught in about 2 sentences and you rarely stick long enough with a single character to really get interested.
I'm currently in a chapter where Ozzie is searching for the "real Silfen" which I'm really enjoying, another highlight was the terrorist/Paula Myo chapter.
@@sjoerdth I felt a bit lost for around the first 300 pages so things might start to come together soon! Hope you enjoy!
@@WordsinTime It's a bit crazy we need this kind of patience, but apparently I'm geeky enough that the Dyson Pair mystery can hold my interest 😀 I'm moving extremely slow though, these 250 pages took me about 2 weeks, which is less than half my normal speed.
It was a great read, and I hope to reread it. But it would be better if it was a little harder.
Fair enough Bill! I would put this around a 7 out of 10 on the soft to hard sci-fi scale. It sounds like you like really hard sci-fi!
I love this series! It’s an amazing world building exercise!
Yes, this world is epic! Can’t wait to dive back into it with Judas Unchained! I’m
Im surprised I haven't found/commented on this video considering on others I've mentioned how much I love this duology, but hate the subsequent trilogy. The reason behind why the star disappeared was great! I was so engaged with everything that happened after even if Hamilton is longwinded.
But the Void trilogy... you better love the weird fantasy story-in-a-story. I think thats what separates who likes the trilogy or hates it. I loved the "fantasy" sidequest of the duology, but Edeard is MUCH less engaging than Ozzy and crew, as well as the settings.
I’ve heard good things about the Void trilogy, but I’m not sure if the fantasy aspects will suit my tastes either.
This book is so much better on a reread after reading more sci fi and going in knowing what to expect. I love the technology and worldbuilding.
I could imagine this being a good re-read as there is so much to take in!
@@WordsinTime That's really true. So many character and storylines made me get a little lost on a first read.
I just reread The Night's Dawn trilogy by him. He says that's the series that will be on his tombstone. I want to marry Paula Myo. I think Kelly Hu from Xmen 2 could play her in a tv series. Honestly I think Pandora's Star has more good scenes overall than Judas Unchained, although I liked Gore and Cat in Judas Unchained. The beginning of Pandora's Star has a distracting murder mystery part. Once you get to the alien MLM though it's all worth it. There's a certain scene that's very chilling. I'm also a sucker for A.I. characters. The followup Void trilogy is pretty good but I would only want to reread the sf chapters not the fantasy chapters.
That’s awesome, thanks for the great info epiphoney!
🚀 So I ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ this in 2011. Apparently I shelved it on GR in 2009 but that was also the year I joined GR, so half my library got shelved for the first time that year. It’s nearly 20 years old now. Blooming brilliant book! I loved that time was taken over the characters, so that I really knew them. Or at least, that is my now ageing recollection!
That’s awesome Tufty! I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for these characters!
I loved the description of the Prime developing.
This provided a foundation for a really bad adversary.
One of my favourite sf books ever.
Is there any chance of a movie?.
Yes, I loved that too! I think the scale of this book/duology is so large that it would be tricky to cut down and adapt into a movie, but anything is possible!
I read the book a long time ago, but I seem to remember slogging through the first 300 pages or so and then basically devouring the rest of the book and Judas Unchained within a couple of weeks.I am not very well-read in the sci-fi genre, so I enjoyed listening to your discussion about how this series compared with other sci-fi duologies.
That early chapter of advanded para sailing was really a slog. The rest is super easy sailing
I’m glad the book hooked you! I’m excited for Judas Unchained!
@@petervandeweyer517 I agree this scene was a bit long. It was kind of interesting, but wasn’t that important to the plot.
@@petervandeweyer517 I actually just finished that chapter yesterday, and was questioning if I wanted to bother continuing with the book. It has been such a horrible slog so far.
@@CatacombD did you get through it?
Because it does burst into life later on and Judas Unchained is great IMHO.
I'm on the second book into the Void Trilogy just now.
I don't want it to end.
The ending sentence of this book is awesome and makes it mandatory to buy the sequel . ETA. Love both books BTW. p.s "cliff hanger ending" LOL I see what you did there
Haha indeed! I am starting Judas Unchained on the next week or so!
is this like Battlestar Galactica type plots?
@@kushal4516 It’s more space opera than it is military sci-fi. And there’s a lot more characters and storylines.
@@WordsinTime oh okay. Thanks
8 out of 10 is fair.
I gave it a 9 out of 10, elevated by the sequel.
I’m m glad you liked it! I just finished Judas Unchained and I enjoyed it but Chapter 18 is still my favourite part of the duology haha
😊👍
Cheers JE!
Recommended this to my husband and he's really enjoying it.
That’s awesome Laura! Let me know his reaction when he finishes it!
I like so many thing about this vook so far, but sometimes if feels like a grind. Im on chapter 12 things are getting good so hopeful for the rest of the book. Really like the detective and capitan.
I agree that it can be a bit of grind, but it has some great moments!
Have you read Anathem by Stephenson? Also kind of a grind but really cool idea. The book has its own word glossary. (I should clarify I don't think a grind is a necessarily bad thing)
@@DanEllingson23 The only Stephenson book I’ve read is Snow Crash, which I enjoyed. I would like to read Anathem in the future.
Read the second book and your opinion of the series becomes a 9/10. Books 3-5 are 10/10. Books 6 and 7 are 8/10.
Thanks for the feedback on the series! I am reading Judas Unchained this month!
It is the kind of book you should read when you want to take a break from reality. Maybe, by the time you finish, everything will be different.
Yes, the ideas in this book are really out there. I’m looking forward to starting Judas Unchained, probably in about a month from now.
Just finished it for the third time and already miss it.
That’s amazing! Have you read other books in the Commonwealth universe?
The books were flipping awesome. There’s so much tech I wish we had or we near having. Still don’t like the Ozzie story arc but don’t hate it.
I liked those characters, but didn’t find their story arc the most interesting.
Ok, might give it a try then 😉 (FR)
Nice, let me know your thoughts on it if you do!
I enjoyed this book. However, it did drag at times and the ending wasn't as rewarding as I'd hoped.
@@co2maker88 True. It ends on a cliffhanger. The duology is basically one very very long book split into two very long books.
Wait, so you are half way through and you are giving the review of the book?
No, I finished the book before reviewing it. It is a duology, so at the point at which I made the video I had finished book one, which means I was halfway through the duology. I then made a second video where I talk about both books.
The Commonwealth Saga doesn't begin or end with these two books.
"Misspent Youth" (begins) and "The Void Trilogy" (ends, sort of).
"The Chronicle of the Fallers" is another lengthy duology in the universe of the Commonwealth Saga.
One will spend a great deal of time getting through this entire "opera". And won't be disappointed, unless they have the attention span of a "GenZ".🤣
The entire universe is epic!
damned good story
Agreed!
I don't think this story is anywhere near hard sci fi, its no where near Rendezvous with Rama. The technology and reality bedding is as wild as any high sci fi.
It’s heavy on descriptions but not actually that heavy on the science.
fair@@WordsinTime
Just finished Judas Unchallenged. What an incredible payoff!
That’s awesome to hear! I’m looking forward to getting to it soon!
The chapter he refers to MUST be chapter 18, in which Hamilton describes the most alien of alien races I've ever read or watched on screen. It's not spectacular, just terrifying in its single-mindedness and believability. There's a belief among real life scientists that an advanced spacefaring alien civilization MUST be peaceful in nature, otherwise they would destroy themselves before they could reach such an advanced state. Hamilton begs to differ. Chapter 18, Pandora's Star.
Chapter 18 left me SHOOK
Same. Subscribed.
@@Duncan_Idaho_Potato Welcome to the channel!
Not worth the read. The plot line of the disappearing stars, The Dyson pair, comes along so sparingly that you lose interest in the other 90% of the book. "...sort of like butter spread over too much bread."
The story wanders and teases the reader into thinking that the subplots are relevant to the story and brings in superfluous characters that drive the plot nowhere.
Skip this one and try Pushing Ice or Seveneves.
It does stretch on for too long. And the subplots do become relevant in the second book but many people may lose interest by then. I agree that Alastair Reynolds and Neal Stephenson are two great authors.
Hamilton can be polarizing even to the same person. I consider this duology the greatest sci-fi story of all time, but absolutely hate all of the other books in his Commonwealth Universe, and consider his other books just average.
The whole idea of an interstellar society with no spaceships is so crazy and interesting...
That’s interesting Jason! I’m glad you loved the duology. I’ll be starting Judas Unchained this month.
I feel you. I LOVED this duology, but hated the Void trilogy because of Edeard. I can't bring myself to read the 3rd one