Ever wonder how Marx would have dealt with aliens?

PFH's writing and storytelling just keep getting better as the decades pass, and with this novel he's being more adventurous with the construction of the narrative too. It's a wonderful mix of hard SF and political fantasy, with a dollop of Ankh Morpork and Marxist revolution in too. Thoroughly enjoyed, as expected, and brilliantly narrated.

9 people found this helpful

Immersed in the void.

I love this series of books and have listened to all the others available and was delighted to see another arrive. This one is slightly different in that almost all of the story is within the void - no trips out to the commonwealth really aside from the start. The start of the story we see some of the familiar faces from the series, then this story introduces a whole new set of characters to get to know, aside from one, a favourite of mine - who plays a key role in the void. Personally I would be distraught to hear anyone but John Lee read these books now having invested so many hours with him I find him very easy to listen to. I can imagine at least another book in the series after this one. If you haven't listened to or read the others I would strongly advise you do, really needs all the background to make sense and it is a superb series of books. The story in general did bear a passing resemblance to the story of Edeard - which is not a problem for me, was just delighted to be back in the Void :)

18 people found this helpful

Return to the Void with a fresh twist

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I enjoyed the Void Trilogy and was worried that this book would feel second rate, as if often the case with prequels. I was wrong as this book is a stand alone great addition to the Void Trilogy. I am only disappointed that I will have to wait for the next one to be released.

6 people found this helpful

More of the same, but who cares?!

Another story from the Void with many similarities to the last Void series, but who cares, it's great stuff. Hamilton is hitting his peak as a story-teller with more character development, more plotting and less pure technical detail (but plenty enough for those that love it). The only problem is after devouring it in the week since its release I now have to wait ages for the next one to get some resolution.

The usual excellent narration from John Lee, with my only minor gripe being the slightly arbitrary use of regional accents to discern different characters leads to me wondering why an ANA droid would sound like Sean Connery, and two people from the same city would sound respectively Scottish and Cornish.

13 people found this helpful

Captivating

What did you like most about The Abyss Beyond Dreams?

It is another excellently structure and read story. It kept me wanting more right upto the last sentence, disappointed that it came to an end,

What did you like best about this story?

Complex but easily followed plots with excellent detail

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The whole book was enjoyable.

Any additional comments?

I hope Peter has another in the series lined up.

4 people found this helpful

Another great story from a master storyteller

Where does The Abyss Beyond Dreams rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have been a fan of Peter F Hamilton for a long time and the latest book is a great addition to my library.

Set in the same universe as the previous Abyss series, The Abyss Beyond Dreams is the first of a great new story. Great characters, great plot and John Lee as the narrator.

Look forward to the next book being released.

4 people found this helpful

John lee...aghhh!

Maybe it's just me, but I find John Lee's narrations to be so flat, monotone and lifeless. I think I'd prefer to listen to Stephen Hawkins narrate this book. Having said this, if you're a sci-fi fan, the book is worth sticking with. After 12 hours I managed to ignore the voice and enjoyed the listen!

8 people found this helpful

Oh dear, so what went wrong.

Would you try another book written by Peter F. Hamilton or narrated by John Lee?

This is a great story, but the delivery is dire! It sounds like Siri reading to you with constant monotonous downward inflections on nearly every sentence.

Would you be willing to try another one of John Lee’s performances?

I have other John Lee narrated stories in my library and I have not noticed a problem, so perhaps this is a regrettable one off.

Did The Abyss Beyond Dreams inspire you to do anything?

It inspired me to go and get the book to see if it is written as badly as it was presented, it is not.

3 people found this helpful

A welcome return to the void

Having really enjoyed the Void and Commonwealth books i was really excited to see another trip in to the void was on the cards and honestly i wasn't disappointed. John Lees delivery was as flawless as ever and he is the voice of the commonwealth.

If you enjoy Peter F Hamiltons work you will really like this one, thanks and lets have part two soon !

6 people found this helpful

Hamilton is having a lean period? John Lee hmm?

What disappointed you about The Abyss Beyond Dreams?

It happens to all writers so I have no doubt Peter F. Hamilton will return in a blaze of glory soon. Seems a rehash of Edeard and the void story, but I just couldn't stay focused on this book. Maybe it's me?

I may well buy the kindle edition, perhaps my mistake not doing so as I read 'The Void Trilogy' on my delicious Kindle Voyage.

Would you recommend The Abyss Beyond Dreams to your friends? Why or why not?

Peter F. Hamilton is one of my favourite sci-fi writers so I'd always say 'give it a go' my opinion is mine, after all.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Oh dear, John Lee. To me he sounded like he had tried way to hard to sound like an old school character actor, very Sir John Gielgud my good chap. He speaks with a voice dripping in strange affectations and the continuous downward internation of nearly every sentence ending was quite off putting.

He has an odd way of trying to 'roll' or 'clip' every single 'r' in every word, this could have been picked up though elocution lessons, just a guess.

Not for me sorry, Toby Longworth, Jeremy Northam or Michael Fenton Stevens, I could and have listened to them in raptures for hours and hours.

However I'm going to try some more books read my John Lee to see if he is different in them at all, he has read so many it would be a shame to miss out. Must keep an open mind!

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Abyss Beyond Dreams?

I gave up so can't comment on the whole book.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to new works by Peter F. Hamilton and listening to more readings by Toby Longworth, Jeremy Northam, Michael Fenton Stevens my current favorites.

1 person found this helpful