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

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.

4 people found this helpful

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.

4 people found this helpful

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

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

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

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

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

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

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