The Dreaming Void Review

As promised, here is my book review of The Dreaming Void by Peter Hamilton. I was impressed by this highly entertaining science fiction novel. One of my criteria for a good book is to find myself still reading it at 4 am… Hamilton’s Dreaming Void certainly kept me up late into the wee hours of the morn.

The Dreaming Void is Peter Hamilton’s newest work — an impressive novel that captures the essence of science fiction. And it’s a big, big book. It’s a blend of epic Space Opera, Cyberpunk, and Fantasy — a compelling combination of genres that blends together into a highly entertaining and addicting work. It can take a while to get into the novel (Hamilton throws you right into his world with nary an introduction) but one you get into the book, you really get into the book.

The Dreaming Void is set in the same world as his previous Commonwealth Saga (Pandora’s Star and Judas Unchained) albeit 1500 years into the future. Rest assured though, while reading the previous novels will give you background information, The Dreaming Void can stand on its own. In the future explored by The Dreaming Void, death ( as initially explored in the Commonwealth Saga) is an anachronism. Humans are now virtually immortal — consciousness is downloaded into indestructible computer chips inserted into the brain. If you die, it’s just a matter of retrieving the chip and inserting it into a new human body. Those who have read Richard Morgan’s Altered Carbon will find themselves right at home with this concept.

Since his last novel, Judas Unchained, humanity has finally transcended the fleshly constraints of the human body and evolved into a sort of metaphysical existence. Oh, there are still the old flesh and blood humans (though they are highly augmented by genetic technologies) kicking around. But many humans have downloaded their consciousness into a sort of grand neural network and now live transcendental lives. In a world where death has been conquered and the human consciousness has ascended into the metaphysical realm, what else is there to the human story? This underlying question forms the basis of the novel’s plot. And the answer is the “Void” — a massive event horizon that is destined to consume the galaxy. However, within the Void exists another universe, one that inexplicably contains humans with extraordinarily powers… A religious group launches a crusade to enter the Void — an event that may or may not trigger the end of the galaxy. I’ll let you read the book to get into the nitty-gritty of the plot, but let’s just say that more then a few human and alien factions are thrown into turmoil and power struggles ensue. Superhuman agents are thrown into the frey as the transcendental human factions (the godlike humans who are at the top of the human evolution scale) attempt to stop or support the crusade.

Hamilton has always seamlessly combined strong characterization within the framework of his novel concepts. You know with Hamilton you’re going to get a great cast of well developed characters with a hell of a lot of action, political scheming, and epic battles. The Dreaming Void meets these expectations. What’s also interesting about this novel is the sort of Fantasy world that exists in conjunction with the science fiction world. One moment you are reading hardcore, futuristic cyberpunk/space opera, then the next instant you are transported to a sort of magical, medieval world, reading an addictive and well drawn coming of age story. It’s a highly entertaining and adds a new dimension to the book.

I am looking forward to see where Hamilton is going to take the plot with the sequel, The Temporal Void which is due out in a couple months.

8.5/10

Everyone loves assassins. What’s more cool then kick ass killers killing people for money? The assassin theme has been done several times in the fantasy genre, the notable ones being Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice, Mathew Stoover’s Caine books, and Lian Hearn’s Japanese flavored fantasy, Tales of the Otori.

Week’s effort is something new though. It’s assassins with a whole lot action and a whole lot of magic. If you like your fantasy with powerful characters, you’ll love this book. Those looking for Hobb’s glass jaw heroes or the cynical realism of Martin’s cast of characters may find themselves somewhat disappointed, but Weeks delivers a unique world and very addictive story.

The plot revolves around Azoth, a young orphan boy who grows up in a ghetto that makes Brooklyn look like Beverly Hills. Part of a gang of street children, Azoth longs for a better life, a life free from the daily abuse he endures at the hands of the older boys. After an encounter with Durzo Blint, the world’s greatest wetboy — a sort of super assassin with serious magical powers, Azoth stalks Blint in an attempt to become his apprentice. By passing a gruesome entrance exam that involves a vicious murder, Azoth lands his apprentice with Blint.

The Way of the Shadow is a very dark. Murder, sex, and mayhem are the commodities of the world. Those wanting a light-hearted fantasy best seek other shores. While the novel is generally pretty serious, Weeks populates his world with over-the-top characters. Both heroes and villains are powerful – almost too powerful.

The villains are the standard type found in a fantasy world (remorselessly evil), but the heroes are what makes this novel interesting. Weeks creates an fascinating anti-hero in the character of Durzo Blint: ostensibly a relentless assassin, Blint is in fact crippled with guilt; he’s a man who’s killed so much that humans have become nothing but flesh. Yet, at one time Blint was in fact the best of heroes, the greatest of men…and these memories torture his soul.

It’s quite interesting to see how Weeks blurs the lines between hero and villain. At its heart, The Way of the Shadows is about people forced to do things they despise. It’s a novel about killing…and redemption.

Despite the strengths of the novel, there are some weaknesses. Weeks fall prey to Dues Ex Machina – something all too common in the fantasy genre. However, the strong action, interesting characters, and addictive plot make this forgivable. It’s a fantastic book that I highly recommend.
Those looking for one of the best releases this year, check out this book.

Not in several years have I read a fantasy book (or any book) this good, and I have read thousands. To tell you the truth, I have read so many books that are trash that I have grown used to, perhaps even expecting poor quality when I read a fantasy novel. Pure drivel like Robert Newcomb’s “The Fifth Sorceress”or Terry Goodkind’s “The Naked Empire” pop up like weeds these days.

But amidst the piles and piles of rubble, sometimes you find that rose of exceptional beauty. And “Across the Nightingale Floor” is that rose. It’s vastly different than the usual run-of-the-mill fantasy novels, unique even.

The setting of the book takes place in a mythical Japanese-like society, though it’s not a direct allusion to actual history, and it features a smattering of magic. It’s a coming of age story, but not in the usual Robert Jordan type of way. Perhaps the best way to describe it is as a recipe: Take the majestic backdrop of “Shogun”, mix it with the cool assassin factor of “Hero’s Die”, imbue it with the mysticism of Eric Lustbader’s “Ninja”, then toss in a fabulous plot, superlative characterization, a good dose of pathos, a chunk of romance and you have what I consider to be one of the best books, ever.

If you have read “A Song of Fire of Ice”fifteen times, spun through the “Wheel of Time” more times than Nynaeve pulls her braid, and consumed every Hobb novel, then give this book a shot; it won’t disappoint.

It’s a sweeping epic of love, betrayal, loyalty, magic, and a high quest for revenge, and so dam fine a read you will want to lick the cover when you’re done. I HIGHLY recommend you check this
book out.