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The Abyss Beyond Dreams

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About this listen

The first volume in the Chronicles of the Fallers, The Abyss Beyond Dreams is an incredible adventure, exploring the mystery at the heart of the Peter F. Hamilton's sprawling Commonwealth Universe. For fans of Iain M. Banks and Alaistair Reynolds.

To save their civilization, he must destroy it.

When a so-called prophet sees visions of a lost civilization, Nigel Sheldon is asked to investigate. Especially as these dreams seem to be coming from the Void – a mysterious area of space with hugely destructive capabilities. Then Nigel crash-lands inside the Void, and finds so much more than he expected. Bienvenido: a planet populated by survivors from long-vanished Commonwealth ships.

For centuries their descendants have been fighting a desperate battle against the Fallers, space-born predators that have evolved to conquer worlds. And Nigel soon realizes that the Fallers hold the key to the destruction of the Void itself. If he can survive long enough to find it . . .

'Huge cast, enormous canvas, big ideas – mega in every way' – Daily Mail

Continue the adventure with the second in the duology, Night Without Stars.

 Adventure Military Science Fiction Space Opera Fiction Dream Survival

Critic reviews

A thoroughly enjoyable and unstoppable work that will leave you craving more.
The Fallers threaten not only human settlers, but also the very existence of the universe. Hamilton expertly interleaves disparate storylines
Another stonkingly large and addictive SF thriller from one of the genre’s leading exponents. Huge cast, enormous canvas, big ideas – mega in every way.
Peter Hamilton’s new novel stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Culture books of Iain Banks and the Kefahuchi Tract saga of M. John Harrison . . . a book that is paradoxically both old-school and totally au courant: the best of two worlds
A satisfying and well-oiled story, with potential for more epic adventure to come
Quite simply, this is a novel whose world-building and story have been masterfully interwoven with previous Commonwealth novels, as well as one that stands alone in delivering a complex and immersive narrative, and shows a master at the top of his game. It’s intelligent and gripping, action-packed and emotional, but most of all it’s a shining example of what science fiction has to offer. I can’t recommend this novel highly enough
Peter Hamilton doesn’t just write Space Opera, he defines it . . . Imaginative, intelligent and accessible, The Abyss Beyond Dreams hits all the right notes
If you like your science fiction in the shape of epic, sprawling, interstellar space opera things can’t get much better than with new novel by everyone’s favourite Peter F. Hamilton . . . Quite simply, The Abyss Beyond Dreams is Hamilton’s love letter to his readers. It’s set in everyone’s favourite universe and it has everything you’d expect from Peter F. Hamilton’s book – epic scope, engaging story and twists to die for
All stars
Most relevant
Narrator John Lee is excellent making the experience more enjoyable. Interesting ideas explored if you are familiar with Peter's books, especially Commonwealth Saga.

Good listen

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Not for the faint hearted - neither the story nor the technical terminology used! A very enjoyable read.

A long techno thriller

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Love everything by Peter f hamilton, especially anything set in the commonwealth. Any one out there wondering if they should read or listen to his books, just do it! They are epic! but go back and start at the beginning with misspent youth you won't regret it.

Just amazing love the commonwealth and the void!

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What made the experience of listening to The Abyss Beyond Dreams the most enjoyable?

The scope and detail of the author's imagination, building upon his previous Commonwealth novels. Loved the interfacing of Commonwealth and feudal industrial technologies and culture, and the evolution of coup strategies and tactics.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favourite?

Impossible to pick - he does them all so well.

A Sci Fi Master at the pinnacle of his craft

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as always you are drawn into a well rounded world and characters you. root for

brilliant

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