Rating: 
Summary: *EPIC* in the true sense of the word...
Review: I could blabber on for ages about how amazingly cool this book is... But the fact is all I can say is simply - READ IT! Ok, so it takes a while to get going. But when it does it's a real page-turner... And when the Reality Dysfunction itself occours, the story takes on a whole new dimension. Exotic technology, facinating characters, sentient starships, massive space-battles... If this were ever put on the big screen it would blow everything else away. It seemed a bit daunting at first taking on the whole 1200 pages of this (the European version), but I found myself realy getting into it after the first couple of hundred pages and ploughing through chapters after that. The only gripe I have with it is the sheer number of characters (each with thier own colourful histories) that are introduced. No wonder the sequal book, 'The Neutronium Alchemist' (which I have just started by the way and does not let up the pace) has a cast-listing of them all! The universe Hamilton has created is Epic in scope and TRD keeps hopping from planet to planet following the advance of the darkness... Probably the greatest creative act in the field of Sci-Fi since Babylon 5 blew away the cobwebs of Star Trek... Without a doubt the best book I've read this year.
Rating: 
Summary: A vast universe as real as any I've been to
Review: This series is truly an epic. It's also a sizable investment in time. After getting through the second or third book, however, I found myself pleasantly lost in Hamilton's universe. Many reviewers here complain about the apparent lack of plot cohesion in Emergence: there are too many characters, too many stories to follow, they say. In fact, this is what I like most about this series. There is so much going on, I feel like I really am witnessing the political and social events these books showcase on such a large scale. Getting to know so many characters from so many different sides of the stories was awesome. Hamilton did such a great job with these books that by the end, I felt as if I had lived a lifetime in his universe. Even if you don't enjoy books with so much going on, it's worth the read for the pure sci-fi goodness. Living starships, doomsday weapons of unbelievable scale, guerilla combat, neural nanonics... the technology in these books will become as deeply engrained into your mind as it is in the world of the characters. If you're a serious sci-fi or 'space-opera' fan you need to read at least the first few books in this series... it only gets better the more you read.
Rating:
Summary: Starship Theatre, Pt.III
Review: For hard core Sci-Fi, the "Night's Dawn" Trilogy has it ALL!!!He-Man heroes, classy heroines, nasty bad guys (not to Even forget THE DEAD RETURNING!!!) New Worlds and Old;Aliens, space battles, suspense, intergalactic conflict and politics; who could ask for MORE? Starships, living space habitats, Biotech, Neurotech, Cyborgs, Genetic Engineering; it's all here; just be prepared to read nothing else for the next couple of MONTHS, 'cause this one is IT!! I originally was hooked into this Epic in the Hardcover Sci-Fi Book Club Edition, buying "The Neutronium Alchemist" first (somehow, I missed "The Reality Disfunction" when first offered; then had to wait another two weeks for that delivery rather than read the story out of sequence. THEN was forced to go through several cowhides, chewing leather and making a complete nuisance of myself until "The Naked God" was finally published and released in Nov. '99. BOTTOM LINE: If you're going to dive into this Epic, Buy the complete Trilogy as a complete set and be prepared to be enthralled by a whole new universe of the caliber of Heinlein, Asimov, or Clarke (and to stay for awhile!!!)
Rating:
Summary: very good indeed...
Review: Ok so I really bought The Reality Dysfunction completely based on the pressqoutes I read on the cover. Not usually a foolproof way to buy a book I admit, but I must say I'm glad I did this time and I also think they were all true!
I haven't read much scifi books yet, although I've read the Foundation series and some other Asimov robot novels, and Dune of course, but I'm not going to compare those books to this series, because it's just a very different sort of story. This is pure scifi pulp, with lots of violence, lots of sex and lots of starships and big robotic space marines blasting eachother to oblivion. I can see how some people won't like it, even hate it, but I couldn't put it down, because it may be pulp, but the story, although starting slowly really had me hooked halfway through the first book. The slow unveiling of a mysterious horror on a backwards jungle colony planet was really well done and soon the plot widens in scope to encompass a whole galaxy, filled with so many cool ideas in technology, characters, philosophy, plots and subplots that it's an amazing feat Hamilton manages to keept it all rolling along at a nice pace without losing the main plot. The minutely detailed descriptions of locations, people, cultures, technology, battles etc really paints an image that is so alive that it plays like a movie in your head. Some people complain that the main characters do not resolve the conflict themselves but instead there are higher powers at work, well I think this whole story is about higher powers and their effects on certain people and humanity as a whole, (as opposed to, say, Foundation where it's the other way around, the effects of very few people on the whole galaxy) so you cannot really hold that against it. Yes, there are parts that drag along a bit but the great action sequences more than make up for the dull bits.
Well, that's all I'm going to say. I still haven't finished it but I've really enjoyed it immensely so far.
Rating:
Summary: Science Fiction of Epic Propotions
Review: The Reality Dysfunction opens your mind to worlds of stunning beauty, characters with both noble and sinister goals and a wonderful description of what the future may hold in store for humanity.
The story focuses on the tropical planet of Lalonde. Recently opened for colonization, the planet is still very primitive and humanity spread thin. Here colonists and deportees fight aganist the wild nature and a primitive existence far from their usual lives on the core worlds to build a home and a future.
In these hellish settings Mankind comes face to face with a nightmare of epic proportions - the return of our one true adversary.
At the same time, the book introduces two branches of evolution, the Adamists, which embraces a human-machine interface, and the Edenists, which makes use of bio-engineering and intelligent creatures. Based on different perceptions of life and religion, these two cultures each have their advantages and problems, which opens up to a certain amount of racism and misunderstandings.
Not only does Peter F. Hamilton master the ability to make a wealth of persons come to life with each their unique motivation, he also describes a future taking its outset in the major tendencies of today, creating a believable universe for the characters to roam.
Being the first book in a triology, The Reality Dysfunction leaves many questions unanswered and stories to be told, yet it promises well for the sequel, which I'm waiting for with anticipation.
Rating:
Summary: Starship Theatre, Pt.III
Review: For hard core Sci-Fi, the "Night's Dawn" Trilogy has it ALL!!!He-Man heroes, classy heroines, nasty bad guys (not to Even forget THE DEAD RETURNING!!!) New Worlds and Old;Aliens, space battles, suspense, intergalactic conflict and politics; who could ask for MORE? Starships, living space habitats, Biotech, Neurotech, Cyborgs, Genetic Engineering; it's all here; just be prepared to read nothing else for the next couple of MONTHS, 'cause this one is IT!! I originally was hooked into this Epic in the Hardcover Sci-Fi Book Club Edition, buying "The Neutronium Alchemist" first (somehow, I missed "The Reality Disfunction" when first offered; then had to wait another two weeks for that delivery rather than read the story out of sequence. THEN was forced to go through several cowhides, chewing leather and making a complete nuisance of myself until "The Naked God" was finally published and released in Nov. '99. BOTTOM LINE: If you're going to dive into this Epic, Buy the complete Trilogy as a complete set and be prepared to be enthralled by a whole new universe of the caliber of Heinlein, Asimov, or Clarke (and to stay for awhile!!!)
Rating: 
Summary: Catholic Sci-Fi...
Review: A lot can be said about this book and if you are looking for the positive sides to the story I suggest you read some of the five-star reviews. What really turned me off about this story is that it has an implicit philosophical substrucute that I perceive as value laden as well as obtrusive! Basically, the human universe in this story is divided into a conflict between science and religion, the Adamists/Edenists (the choice of those names alone should start ringing some bells!). Add that to the fact that one of the (anti-)heroes is a Christian priest. On top of that the dead start walking, comming through into our reality from hell and possessing people, and what you have got is a Space Opera written for a Christian audience. This is all well if you are a Christian with a taste for the end of the world (universe?) and happens to be fond of Sci-fi, but for those of you that have aquired a finer palette when it comes to quality Sci-fi, and like stories that are not necessarily written from a specific religious perspective (read: christian perspective), then this is not a book for you. I am sure the pope liked this one, but I cannot say that I did.
Rating: 
Summary: Gimme a Break
Review: This series is more horror than science fiction. The basic concept is that the dead are coming back to possess the living. A bit over the top, in my humble opinion. And when Al Capone comes back . . . gimme a break. It's also way too long. I'm about to give up about a third of the way into the third book. I'm sick of all the gratuitous violence. Just freaking save the universe already and be done with it.
Rating:
Summary: An Epic Journey
Review: Having just spent the best part of 6 weeks working my way through 3 volumes & the best part of 4000 pages, I can honestly say I have yet to read anything else like it in the SF genre. From astounding technologies & adventures, to a detailed examination of both the best & worst the human race has to offer, this series has it all. I will not outline what this series is about - many other reviewers have done that more adroitly than I could possibly manage, but the journeys of Captain Joshua Calvert, intertwined with the people that he meets along the way, as well as the struggles of people such as Ione & Louise are incredibly detailed and offer you a realistic view of how the universe may unfold in 5-600 years time. This, combined with Hamiltons insightful (& sometimes downright violent) views of human nature leave you wanting more. You come out the other end of this series with a different perspective on "life, the universe & everything" to borrow a well known phrase. Buy, Read & Enjoy. Just be prepared for many sleepless nights!
Rating:
Summary: Good stuff
Review: The story develops in a very insteresting universe. It has high quality violence that includes great space battles. The main characters are interesting and likable. It mixes well sci-fi, horror, and historical figures.
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