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  • Chronicle of the Fallers
  • The Abyss Beyond Dreams

The Abyss Beyond Dreams

Chronicle of the Fallers #1 / 2
by Peter F. Hamilton
The Abyss Beyond Dreams (Chronicle of the Fallers #1) by Peter F. Hamilton
★ 8.50 / 6
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When images of a lost civilization are ‘dreamed’ by a self-proclaimed prophet of the age, Nigel Sheldon, inventor of wormhole technology and creator of the Commonwealth society, is asked to investigate. Especially as the dreams seem to be coming from the Void – a mysterious area of living space monitored and controlled because of its hugely destructive capabilities. With it being the greatest threat to the known universe, Nigel is committed to finding out what really lies within the Void and if there’s any truth to the visions they’ve received. Does human life really exist inside its boundary?

But when Nigel crash lands inside the Void, on a planet he didn’t even know existed, he finds so much more than he expected. Bienvenido: a world populated by the ancestors of survivors from Commonwealth colony ships that disappeared centuries ago. Since then they’ve been fighting an increasingly desperate battle against the Fallers, a space-born predator artificially evolved to conquer worlds.  Their sole purpose is to commit genocide against every species they encounter. With their powerful telepathic lure – that tempts any who stray across their path to a slow and painful death – they are by far the greatest threat to humanity’s continued existence on this planet.

But Nigel soon realizes that the Fallers also hold the key to something he’d never hoped to find – the destruction of the Void itself. If only he can survive long enough to work out how to use it...

Amazon: Check Best Offer

Science FictionSpace Opera
Release date: October 6, 2014
Reviews and Comments (1)

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Peter F. Hamilton

Peter F. Hamilton

Peter F. Hamilton's name resonates with fans of sprawling, intricate science fiction tales that blur the boundaries of human ambition, artificial intelligence, and the vast reaches of space. Born in Rutland, England, in 1960, Hamilton has transformed the genre with his ability to weave grand narratives that span centuries and galaxies, all while exploring the intimate threads of human emotion and conflict.

Hamilton’s journey as a writer began in the late 1980s, with his first short story sold to Fear magazine in 1988. But it wasn’t until the release of Mindstar Rising in 1993 that he first captured the imaginations of readers. From there, his reputation skyrocketed, especially with the monumental success of The Night's Dawn Trilogy. This epic space opera marked him as one of the key voices in modern science fiction. His works, often set in detailed universes brimming with complex characters and world-shaking events, quickly made him a fixture on bestseller lists, with millions of copies of his books flying off shelves worldwide.

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Hamilton’s writing style is a unique mix of scientific plausibility, philosophical reflection, and suspenseful storytelling. His Commonwealth Saga and The Void Trilogy reflect a fascination with humanity’s potential in the far future, alongside the dangers and wonders of space exploration. These narratives don’t shy away from the gritty realities of interstellar politics, technological marvels, and the challenges of human survival. Yet, what truly sets Hamilton apart is his unwavering belief in the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of vast, existential threats.

Beyond the impressive scope of his world-building, Hamilton also explores the personal and the intimate. His characters are never mere pawns in the grand scheme of things; they are individuals with deeply personal motivations, flaws, and desires. Whether it’s in his Salvation Sequence, where artificial intelligence and humanity’s future collide, or his younger works like the Greg Mandel series, Hamilton’s storytelling digs beneath the surface to ask bigger questions about what it means to be human.

Throughout his career, Hamilton has received accolades and recognition from fans and critics alike. His novels have been translated into numerous languages, and his influence can be felt in the works of many contemporary science fiction authors. His ability to combine speculative ideas with thrilling, page-turning plots continues to inspire new generations of readers.

Now residing in Somerset, Peter F. Hamilton remains deeply embedded in the world he’s built — a world where the boundaries of space and time are constantly being challenged. For him, writing is not just a career, but a never-ending exploration into the unknown, a quest for understanding that mirrors the very journeys his characters embark upon.

As Hamilton himself has said, "I write about the future not to predict it, but to ask the questions that need to be asked." And as long as readers continue to seek those answers, Peter F. Hamilton’s stories will remain an essential part of the science fiction landscape.

Photo: Georges Seguin / CC BY-SA 3.0

Chronicle of the Fallers

Chronicle of the Fallers consists of two books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Main series Commonwealth Universe

The Abyss Beyond Dreams (Chronicle of the Fallers #1)
★ 8.50 / 6
Night Without Stars (Chronicle of the Fallers #2)
★ 8.00 / 1

Reviews and Comments

05/14/2015
Johnny Graves avatar
Johnny Graves
3 books, 1 reviews
★★★★★★★★★★ 10 / 10

Just finished this afternoon after a marathon re-reading of the firts Void trilogy. As always, a very enjoyable and entertaining read ... looking forward to the next in the series ... 2016? Oh well, maybe Rothfuss will publish something in the interim.

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