Listen free for 30 days
-
Pandora's Star
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Series: Commonwealth Saga, Book 1
- Length: 37 hrs and 30 mins
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
People who bought this also bought...
-
The Dreaming Void
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: Toby Longworth
- Length: 21 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
AD 3580. The Intersolar Commonwealth has spread through the galaxy to over a thousand star systems. It is a culture of rich diversity with a place for everyone. Even death itself has been overcome. But at the centre of the Commonwealth is a massive black hole. This Void is not a natural artefact. Inside there is a strange universe where the laws of physics are very different to those we know. It is slowly consuming the other stars of the galactic core - one day it will devour the entire galaxy.
-
-
Listen to this
- By Walter on 22-01-09
-
The Abyss Beyond Dreams
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 22 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Ever wonder how Marx would have dealt with aliens?
- By M on 06-11-14
-
The Reality Dysfunction
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 41 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton is the first in Night's Dawn, a sweeping galactic trilogy from the master of space opera. In AD 2600 the human race is finally realizing its full potential. Hundreds of colonized planets across the galaxy host a multitude of wildly diverse cultures. Genetic engineering has pushed evolution far beyond nature's boundaries, defeating disease and producing extraordinary space-born creatures.
-
-
Great story spoiled by poor audio editing..
- By P Hardwick on 18-11-16
-
Salvation
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 19 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
AD 2204. An alien shipwreck is discovered on a planet at the very limits of human expansion - so Security Director Feriton Kayne selects a team to investigate. The ship’s sinister cargo not only raises bewildering questions but could also foreshadow humanity’s extinction. It will be up to the team to bring back answers, and the consequences of this voyage will change everything. Back on Earth, we can now make deserts bloom and extend lifespans indefinitely, so humanity seems invulnerable. We therefore welcomed the Olyix to Earth when they contacted us. But were the Olyix a blessing or a curse?
-
-
Great book let down by the narration
- By Peter Kuehne on 28-06-19
-
The Saints of Salvation
- The Salvation Sequence
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 17 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Humanity welcomed the Olyix and their utopian technology. But mankind was tricked. Now these visitors are extracting a terrible price. For two years, the Olyix have laid siege to Earth, harvesting its people for their god. One by one, cities are falling to their devastating weaponry. And while millions have fled to seek refuge in space, others continue to fight an apparently unwinnable war.
-
-
Same Old, But Less Engaging...
- By Mark H on 02-11-20
-
Great North Road
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: Toby Longworth
- Length: 36 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Great North Road is a standalone science fiction adventure from Peter F. Hamilton, the author of The Night's Dawn trilogy. When attending a Newcastle murder scene, Detective Sidney Hurst finds a dead North family clone. Yet none has been reported missing. And in 2122, 20 years ago, a North clone billionaire was horrifically murdered in the same manner on the tropical planet of St Libra. So if the murderer is still at large, was Angela Tramelo wrongly convicted?
-
-
Great book, but this is only half the story
- By tim on 17-01-13
-
The Dreaming Void
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: Toby Longworth
- Length: 21 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
AD 3580. The Intersolar Commonwealth has spread through the galaxy to over a thousand star systems. It is a culture of rich diversity with a place for everyone. Even death itself has been overcome. But at the centre of the Commonwealth is a massive black hole. This Void is not a natural artefact. Inside there is a strange universe where the laws of physics are very different to those we know. It is slowly consuming the other stars of the galactic core - one day it will devour the entire galaxy.
-
-
Listen to this
- By Walter on 22-01-09
-
The Abyss Beyond Dreams
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 22 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Ever wonder how Marx would have dealt with aliens?
- By M on 06-11-14
-
The Reality Dysfunction
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 41 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton is the first in Night's Dawn, a sweeping galactic trilogy from the master of space opera. In AD 2600 the human race is finally realizing its full potential. Hundreds of colonized planets across the galaxy host a multitude of wildly diverse cultures. Genetic engineering has pushed evolution far beyond nature's boundaries, defeating disease and producing extraordinary space-born creatures.
-
-
Great story spoiled by poor audio editing..
- By P Hardwick on 18-11-16
-
Salvation
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 19 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
AD 2204. An alien shipwreck is discovered on a planet at the very limits of human expansion - so Security Director Feriton Kayne selects a team to investigate. The ship’s sinister cargo not only raises bewildering questions but could also foreshadow humanity’s extinction. It will be up to the team to bring back answers, and the consequences of this voyage will change everything. Back on Earth, we can now make deserts bloom and extend lifespans indefinitely, so humanity seems invulnerable. We therefore welcomed the Olyix to Earth when they contacted us. But were the Olyix a blessing or a curse?
-
-
Great book let down by the narration
- By Peter Kuehne on 28-06-19
-
The Saints of Salvation
- The Salvation Sequence
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 17 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Humanity welcomed the Olyix and their utopian technology. But mankind was tricked. Now these visitors are extracting a terrible price. For two years, the Olyix have laid siege to Earth, harvesting its people for their god. One by one, cities are falling to their devastating weaponry. And while millions have fled to seek refuge in space, others continue to fight an apparently unwinnable war.
-
-
Same Old, But Less Engaging...
- By Mark H on 02-11-20
-
Great North Road
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: Toby Longworth
- Length: 36 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Great North Road is a standalone science fiction adventure from Peter F. Hamilton, the author of The Night's Dawn trilogy. When attending a Newcastle murder scene, Detective Sidney Hurst finds a dead North family clone. Yet none has been reported missing. And in 2122, 20 years ago, a North clone billionaire was horrifically murdered in the same manner on the tropical planet of St Libra. So if the murderer is still at large, was Angela Tramelo wrongly convicted?
-
-
Great book, but this is only half the story
- By tim on 17-01-13
-
Mindstar Rising
- The Greg Mandel Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: Toby Longworth
- Length: 14 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's the 21st century, and global warming is here to stay, so forget the way your country used to look. And get used to the free market, too – the companies possess all the best hardware, and they're calling the shots now. In a world like this, a man open to any offers can make out just fine. A man like Greg Mandel for instance, who's psi-boosted, wired into the latest sensory equipment, carrying state-of-the-art weaponry – and late of the English Army's Mindstar Battalion.
-
-
Great!
- By Catherine on 13-12-11
-
Revelation Space
- By: Alastair Reynolds
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 22 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nine hundred thousand years ago, something annihilated the Amarantin civilization just as it was on the verge of discovering space flight. Now one scientist, Dan Sylveste, will stop at nothing to solve the Amarantin riddle before ancient history repeats itself. With no other resources at his disposal, Sylveste forges a dangerous alliance with the cyborg crew of the starship Nostalgia for Infinity. But as he closes in on the secret, a killer closes in on him because the Amarantin were destroyed for a reason.
-
-
Good story - Fell out with the narrator.
- By Peter on 06-07-10
-
A Hole in the Sky
- Arkship Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett
- Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sixteen-year old Hazel lives in the Daedalus, a starship that is flying in search of a new world. The ship has been traveling for 500 years, searching for a world to settle in after having to abandon its last world. Everyone on board Daedalus lives a very simple existence in farming villages. The age of machines supplying their needs was lost during a mutiny 500 years ago.
-
-
Derivative story read without dramatic range
- By Nick GB on 19-03-21
-
Fallen Dragon
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 26 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lawrence Newton always dreamed of adventure amongst the stars. Now the ultimate prize is within his grasp, but what will he risk to get it? Lawrence is the sergeant of a washed-out platoon taking part in the bungled invasion of yet another human colony world. The giant corporations call such campaigns 'asset realization', but in practice it's simple piracy. When he's on the ground, being shot at and firebombed by resistance forces, he recalls stories of the Temple of the Fallen Dragon. Its priests supposedly guard a treasure hoard large enough to buy lifelong happiness.
-
-
It's All About The Destination
- By S. Morris on 23-05-17
-
House of Suns
- By: Alastair Reynolds
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 18 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Six million years ago, at the very dawn of the starfaring era, Abigail Gentian fractured herself into a thousand male and female clones: the shatterlings. Sent out into the galaxy, these shatterlings have stood aloof as they document the rise and fall of countless human empires. They meet every 200,000 years to exchange news and memories of their travels with their siblings.
-
-
Confusing at first, but keep with it
- By Cenydd on 08-07-13
-
Legacy
- Stellar Heritage, Book 1
- By: Bob Mauldin
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 19 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Simon and Katherine Hawke stumble upon an alien shuttle that has landed on earth, it’ll not only change the course of their lives, but of the entire world. Taking the shuttle into orbit, they discover a much larger ship left adrift with no one on board. Commandeering it, they confirm that we’re not alone in the universe and must prepare the human race for what is about to come. Recruiting from all over the world, they begin to expand their fleet and build a federation to give humans a foothold in the galaxy.
-
-
It's not working for me
- By Alexander Jibb on 29-10-20
-
Infinite
- By: Jeremy Robinson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Galahad, a faster-than-light spacecraft, carries 50 scientists and engineers on a mission to prepare Kepler 452b, Earth's nearest habitable neighbor at 1400 light years away. With Earth no longer habitable and the Mars colony slowly failing, they are humanity's best hope. After 10 years in a failed cryogenic bed - body asleep, mind awake - William Chanokh's torture comes to an end as the fog clears, the hatch opens, and his friend and fellow hacker, Tom, greets him...by stabbing a screwdriver into his heart. This is the first time William dies.
-
-
Thought provoking
- By Elmamaria on 28-01-19
-
Lost Colony Uprising Boxed Set: Complete Space Opera Trilogy Books 1-3
- By: Darcy Troy Paulin
- Narrated by: DJ Holte
- Length: 34 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Complete Space Opera Series boxed set. A young explorer finds an alien space pod in the frozen tundra, which leads to an interplanetary chase and space battle. Plenty of action, epic original worldbuilding, and enjoyable moments with colorful characters. This series has all the right elements for a terrific alien contact space opera. And the ending is both surprising and satisfying!
-
-
Out of this world
- By Julie on 17-03-21
-
Manhattan in Reverse
- The Complete Collection
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: Sean Barrett, Camilla Mathias, Damian Lynch, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A collection of short stories from the master of space opera. Peter F Hamilton takes us on a journey from a murder mystery in an alternative Oxford in the 1800s to a brand new story featuring Paula Mayo, deputy director of the Intersolar Commonwealth’s Serious Crimes Directorate. Dealing with intricate themes and topical subjects, this top-10 best-selling author is at the top of his game.
-
-
Well Done Peter you have come back from the cold
- By Relativitydrive on 20-11-11
-
Consider Phlebas
- Culture Series, Book 1
- By: Iain M. Banks
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
- Length: 16 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The war raged across the galaxy. Billions had died, billions more were doomed. Moons, planets, the very stars themselves, faced destruction - cold-blooded, brutal, and worse, random. The Idirans fought for their Faith; the Culture for its moral right to exist. Principles were at stake. There could be no surrender. Within the cosmic conflict, an individual crusade....
-
-
A Truly Great Sci-Fi Novel
- By scotty on 09-04-12
-
We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
- Bobiverse, Book 1
- By: Dennis E. Taylor
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There's a reason We Are Legion was named Audible's Best Science Fiction Book of 2016: Its irresistibly irreverent wit! Bob Johansson has just sold his software company for a small fortune and is looking forward to a life of leisure. The first item on his to-do list: Spending his newfound windfall. On an urge to splurge, he signs up to have his head cryogenically preserved in case of death. Then he gets himself killed crossing the street. Waking up 117 years later, Bob discovers his mind has been uploaded into a sentient space probe with the ability to replicate itself.
-
-
An unexpected gem
- By Andrew on 29-01-17
-
Pushing Ice
- By: Alastair Reynolds
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 19 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
2057. Humanity has raised exploiting the solar system to an art form. Bella Lind and the crew of her nuclear-powered ship, the Rockhopper, push ice. They mine comets. And they're good at it. The Rockhopper is nearing the end of its current mission cycle, and everyone is desperate for some much-needed R & R, when startling news arrives from Saturn: Janus, one of Saturn's ice moons, has inexplicably left its natural orbit and is now heading out of the solar system at high speed.
-
-
As interesting as the characters think it is
- By Amazon Customer on 01-03-11
Summary
Britain's bestselling SF writer returns to outer space.
In AD 2329, humanity has colonised over four hundred planets, all of them interlinked by wormholes. With Earth at its centre, the Intersolar Commonwealth now occupies a sphere of space approximately four hundred light years across.
When an astronomer on the outermost world of Gralmond, observes a star 2000 light years distant - and then a neighbouring one - vanish, it is time for the Commonwealth to discover what happened to them. For what if their disappearance indicates some kind of galactic conflict? Since a conventional wormhole cannot be used to reach these vanished stars, for the first time humans need to build a faster-than-light star ship, the Second Chance. But it arrives to find each 'vanished' star encased in a giant force field -- and within one of them resides a massive alien civilisation.
More from the same
What listeners say about Pandora's Star
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Stephen
- 21-09-13
Very solid and enjoyable space opera
I enjoyed this book (which is part 1 of a 2 part story - see Judas Unchained for aprt 2) which takes place in the Commonwealth - a version of human kinds future where the stars are within reach via wormholes and you can, mostly, if you're reasonably careful, live forever!
The story is about the discovery of a couple of stars which dissapear, the investigation as to what happened and the subsequent consequences. Hard to write this review without spoliers so I shall skip the detail of the plot and just say it is quite complex and there is a lot of detail but never so much that you end up confused as to who is doing what and why - a triumph in books this large in both size and scope.
The characters are well described and Hamilton spendsa a lot of the time in the book detailing people and places in a infinite detail. There were time's I really thought the book could have been 2/3 of the length but after reading Judas Unchained afterwards I was impressed how pretty much everything came together with good solid reasons for the details in the first (and also the second) book.
I really liked the Commonwealth and the tech and the concept of people living for >200 years allowing them to have several marriages and so on, with the ability to block out bits of the past. I also enjoyed what was discovered at Pandora's Star and felt that how this was described and built up was really very good.
It's a long book, but the pay off is worth it in my opinion. This was my first Hamilton book and I look forward to reading the others.
I see some criticism of the narrator, and it did take me a few chapters to get used to him, but his speech was clear and personally I did not find it a problem. After listening to tyhe sequel as well it's a good job too - must be 50+ hours!
In summary, a great space opera, long and detailed but with some nice ideas. Moderately hard core sci-fi which is easy to read yet epic is scale and scope.
19 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- dannacet
- 24-02-15
Unexpectedly superb sci-fi
I haven't read any sci-fi for a long time, but based upon its star rating I decided I would give this a go. what a pleasant surprise. The character development and story delivered something quite enthralling. I am already looking forward to the next book.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- christopher
- 31-08-13
An amazing story that only leads to wanting more
If you could sum up Pandora's Star in three words, what would they be?
Complex, Detailed and Beautiful
What did you like best about this story?
It’s a mix between the paths and the Politics within the commonwealth.
Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favourite?
Aussie!
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
One sitting would be too long but listened to it over 5 days well worth it.
Any additional comments?
An outstanding story and performance with the need for more each time you pause.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jon
- 30-07-13
One Of The Best SciFi Books Ever!
Would you consider the audio edition of Pandora's Star to be better than the print version?
For any SciFi lover this book has it all. The plot is gripping with plenty of truly breathtaking science. I can highly recommend this book as must read. It is up there with the greats of SciFi - Arthur C Clarke, Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Dr. S. Johnston
- 09-04-13
Absolutely fabulous!
A space-opera on a grand scale, this really is a modern classic. The narration is fabulous, John Lee has a great style, all the main characters have their own voices, that are instantly recognisable, making it a pleasure to listen to. Even better this is a great vision of the future for the human race, not one of the more depressing dystopian affairs.
I originally bought this because of the lengthy run-time (lots of long-distance driving) but this should not put anyone off - it's very easy to listen to, the pace never lets up, and you're through it all too soon. Some of the characters you can't help but love, even some of the more machiavellian (Ozzy, the super-genius surfer dude, is my personal favourite).
For those who like this, Judas Unchained is the sequel that continues the story and is equally as good. I have a feeling, after this, most of Peter Hamilton's books are going to be making their way into my wishlist.
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Kindle Customer
- 08-04-13
Excellant
This is the first part of two culminating in Judas Unchained. This book, whilst entertaining, proves to be more difficult to engage, as there is much foundation to the plot and characters to be established. Peter Hamilton's description and character development are again superb and this book is well worth the effort, particularly as the second part of the series is 5 Star.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Si
- 18-06-14
The good just about outweighs the bad
I read this in print some time ago but when I recently listened to it on audio it seems to have lost some of its magic. What struck me most this time was Hamilton's long-winded explorations of trivia and his excruciating fixation on teenage girls. Almost every female character has a body age of under 19 and Hamilton describes them in detail, normally starting with the breasts. It's a wonder he can write so many books using only one hand.
That aside I do still like the universe he creates and the way he integrates believable future tech into the story. As a creator of believable far-future worlds he's one of the best.
And the narration? No. Just, no. John Lee would make a great newsreader but for a story like this, not a chance. He sounds like a cross between Rising Damp's Rigsby and the host at a spelling bee. He pronounces every syllable with such clarity you can almost hear him winding up before each word, the individual sounds clattering off his tongue like the noise of malfunctioning farm machinery. If he could do this whilst retaining the emotive content directed by the text then maybe I could live with it, but he can't, and I can't.
36 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Mango Chutney
- 07-09-12
Just can't listen to narrator....
I have listened to a lot of audiobooks, usually as passenger in a car.
Everyone is different, but for me I also could not continue listening to this book. I listened to the preview and thought it was OK, but believe me after a while it is totally brain numbing.
Peter F Hamilton takes ages getting to the point, and likes to describe loads of scene setting stuff and frankly tons of superfluous detail and observations that are of no real relevance to main plot or story. This is OK if reading - but somehow this narrator so slow and tries to dwell on words as if he is enacting a dramatic scene in a dark twisted play - and he does this ALL the time. It's difficult to concentrate on, and he moves from chapters as if there is no break so you sometimes don't realise he's talking about a different scene or person until its a minute in so you have to rewind.
I actually ended up trying to listen to him at 1.5 times speed - and was surprised that even at that speed, some words at the end of his sentences still seemed unnecessarily drawn out. Sounded like a cross between Richard Burton reading in the stye of James T Kirk (the actual character not William Shatner)
This narrator might be good for some styles of books, but definitely not P.F.Hamilton.
In the end I have tried on 3 separate occasions to listen to this in the car - and have decided to give up.
22 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Tamlin
- 10-05-11
Nice aliens, shame about the people
This is tedious stuff, full of dull rich people, leading meaningless, near-immortal lives. A thousand pages in there is a bit of action when the aliens finally arrive; by now you are hoping for a swift annihilation of the human race, but then you discover that this was only part 1.
20 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Kashif
- 08-10-10
One of the greatest space operas yet!
Absolutely love this book!
Set against the backdrop of a world connected by wormholes reducing distances between Earth and the stars combined with the process of rejuvination - the plots, subplots, conspiracy, love, sex - this book is a masterpiece.
Looking forward to getting through the next one!
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Robert N. Stephenson
- 13-12-12
And So this Massive Journey Begins
What did you love best about Pandora's Star?
The grand size of the book surprised and pleased me at the same time. While some of the technical jargon was hard to follow at first the book was dedicated in part to helping me understand and I appreciated this.
What other book might you compare Pandora's Star to and why?
I cannot compare anything I have read, but I can say there is a smattering of Brin, Asimov, Bova and even Benford within the text and it was a joy to hear something new that in a way also paid some kind of hommage to these great writers. Hamilton is unique though and this work is not a characature of those that have come before.
Have you listened to any of John Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I find John Lee to be a good narrator, his clarity is outstanding and his light inflections on tone and voice go a long way in developing a good connection between the story and the listening. I believe any book narrated b y him would be a damn fine listen.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I suppose in the end I could relate well to the character Ozzie and his final outburst matched mine, or I his. It was shock, disappointment, excitement and wonder all rolled into one. I purchased the next book within minutes of completing this one. So, yes, I developed a strong connection with the story and have fallen for the massive world view Hamilton has created.
Any additional comments?
Don't listen to this in big swathes unless you have time to burn. I did this in short 1 hour blocks which allowed me to consider the story a little before continuing. That helped a great deal with understanding and over all enjoyment.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Benjamin
- 18-09-10
Wonderful & transporting!
I have been a fan of PFH's work for some time, and jumped at the opportunity to get this audiobook. In short, the material is fabulous and John Lee's confident reading is inspirational. He brings this exciting and non-stop story to life! Thoroughly recommended!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Andrew
- 20-03-12
Amazing saga
Would you listen to Pandora's Star again? Why?
Absolutely I will listen to this again. I didn't want this book to end, so many sub-stories within the main text, great characters and the amazing world in which the live.
What other book might you compare Pandora's Star to and why?
The Rama series would be the next best thing aside from other Peter F Hamilton books.
What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I hated John Lee's narration when I first heard him narrate the Dreaming Void, but after a few chapters he settles in and I started to enjoy his narration. The same applied to this book but this time I was expecting it so it did not bug me so much. In the early part of the book he sounds like he is over emphasizing parts of the sentence and overall it sounds to staccato in his speech but then he settles into normal reading pattern as he progresses.
Any additional comments?
Best series I have ever read, after reading Game of Thrones series it was a pleasure to read a well written series that was as interesting on page one as it was on the last page.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Chris
- 25-09-10
Excellent book, narration could be better
A word of warning, don't buy this book unless you plan to get the second (Judas Unchained). It's really one book split into two, so the story ends abruptly in book one.
Pandora's Star/Judas Unchained is a true science fiction epic, it intertwines the various stories of disperate characters together with a complex plot that gradually builds to a dramatic and satisfying climax.
I wasn't blown away by the narrator; he manages to give distinct voices to the characters and generally gives enough emphasis and inflection to keep things interesting, but he doesn't sound particualy enthused and failed to draw me in at times. Also, he has an annoying habit of stressing the beginning of every sentence and trailing off towards the end. I found this distracting, but it's probably a matter of taste.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Katarina
- 08-08-17
Perfect if you want to take your time
This is a VERY long and detailed telling, with many characters, many of whom (sort of) protagonists. So from the start you'll have to pay attention, otherwise you'll get lost quickly. I had to 'rewind' several times because I wasn't paying close attention for a whole minute. So this novel is not something to listen to while doing lots of other stuff that requires your attention.
That being said, if you do like to invest the time and effort, this scifi novel offers a pretty immersive story, the author taking his time to paint his universe. His characters are fleshed out very well, and none are 100% 'good' or 'bad', which gives them a realistic feel.
As for the scifi aspects, I enjoyed this author's concept of human society a couple of centuries from now. How humans tackled the immortality problem, the everyday tech gadgets that are used by everyone, and even its application to... porn. Really fun ideas, without getting crass or sleezy. However, be aware that there are several instances of crude language, if that is something you deem important to know.
The author has also integrated diversity into his character concepts, different races and sexual preferences are incorporated in a very natural way without drawing unnecessary attention but present nonetheless. The only thing that does not get much attention is religion; none of the characters seem religious in any way, the entire human race seems to have a naturalistic viewpoint. Which is the only thing I found lacking in this otherwise colorfully diverse universe.
The narration is terrific, with lots of different accents and voices done by John Lee. He is a joy to listen to, and adds emotion and identity to his characters without overacting. I especially enjoyed his high society females, the way he read them was absolutely fantastic. Loved it all.
The editing makes it very hard to distinguish between chapters, and even viewpoints. There are no pauses whatsoever. So one minute your completely into one character's story unfolding, and literally the very next sentence takes you to a whole different character WITHOUT mentioning them by name so you still think you're at the previous viewpoint! Another reason to rewind several times...
Nevertheless I recommend this novel, and I went ahead and bought its sequel as well, titled Judas Unchained.
#FirstContact #Clever #Suspenseful #CommonwealthSaga #Galaxy #tagsgiving #sweepstakes
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mark
- 29-07-13
Awesome story written by a brilliant mind
Would you consider the audio edition of Pandora's Star to be better than the print version?
The intertwined lives of the various characters and species, but most of all the complete escape from what we call normal, into a world (Sorry I should say galaxy) that just blows your mind.
Which scene was your favorite?
There were just too many really interesting and funny scenes to single out any in particular, I really enjoy Peter's sense of humour, and John Lee brings this across so nicely
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
After listening to all of his books on Audible, I started all over again, this is the second time I've listened to The Commonwealth saga, and both books are excellent. This is most definitely a good listen
Any additional comments?
I would love to meet Peter in person, with a brain that can come up with all the amazing technologies and incredible places and people in the characters in the books as only Peter introduces in his work. He's amazing. Sounds corny but living in one of his worlds sound absolutely amazing, I love listening to his stories.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- james
- 18-09-10
Pandora's Star
Great story, well narrated, although accents and voice modulation mixed for some characters.
Disappointed with the end. It was so abrupt that I went looking for an extra download, thinking I'd missed one of the download files. I would still recommend this book though.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mr Robert W newton
- 12-12-12
Great story, deep characters
Would you listen to Pandora's Star again? Why?
While it is one of those "every detail down to the nose hair" books, the characters are deeply developed.
Hamilton offers an insight into a scientifically plausible future with great insight and interesting story line.
yes a tad long and you must buy the second book but if you like the first hour, you will love the rest. one of those that is hard to press stop.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- William
- 14-09-12
Fantastic Sci Fi
Absolutely love the ideas in this book, Peter F. Hamilton does a brilliant job of fleshing out an extremely interesting and compelling future. Some may be turned off by the wordy descriptions of tech but I absolutely loved that aspect of the book. Maybe the character development isn't quite what it could be but overall I just thought it all came together incredibly successfully. I have to get the next chapter in this saga because of the cliff hanger that it leaves you on. I will definitely check out his other works as well as I am extremely impressed with his tech knowledge and the way he implements that in his story. Fantastic stuff.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- Ted
- 14-06-11
Pandora and Judas ....so far
Hooowee!!!!.... strap in for a cosmic ride of scifi seasoned with a pinch of fantasy.
LIke most good eats, this is done to a turn and slow cooked in a faster than light oven that captivates with what's happening now and the aroma of the feasting to come.
You will not want it to finish.... but you will crave for the end........a blissful dilemma
Great science fiction.
.
1 person found this helpful