Rating: 
Summary: Dense, massive, epic and huge!
Review: Steer clear of this novel if you're just looking for some light beach reading or a quickie to read on the plane. This first half of "The Reality Dysfunction" is the literary equivalent of an enormous Italian meal -- it stuffs you full, then sits there in your brain. I read this book because I was looking for a truly massive story, something on an epic scale, and it didn't disappoint me. Hamilton introduces a large number of characters and worlds, and an even larger number of concepts, but he really takes his time with them, and I think that's what I liked best. He lets the concepts loose and then uses them freely, even though they might not become clear to the reader for several hundred pages -- and, oddly, it's that subtlety that made the best impression on me. By not beating me over the head with explanations of voidhawks, the Kulu Kingdom, or Norfolk Tears, he really made these concepts live for me, and that's why this novel remains so memorable for me. On the down side, he skips around a lot, changing settings rather abruptly with the start of each new chapter, and requiring no small amount of mental adjustment on the part of the reader; and the proliferation of sex was fun sometimes, but also appeared kind of gratuitous and not altogether necessary. These are small drawbacks, though, and on the whole I can recommend this book heartily and without reservation to fans of Big Science Fiction like "Dune" or "Foundation".
Rating: 
Summary: Intricate plot that by the end of the book has you captured!
Review: This sf story begins somewhat confusing, with a diversity of plot development spanding different locations throughout the universe. Although somewhat confusing in the beginning, the different story lines all begin to tie together towards the end of the book. Highly recommend the sequal to this series because book one, this book, leaves the reader just on the edge of major developments within the story.
Rating: 
Summary: Space Opera turns Zombie Flick
Review: This book which starts out well with a deep characters and a complex society of future earth reminiscent of Dune, quickly turns into a bad B-movie which is more reminiscent of Evil Dead Part 2. While Mr. HAmilton has a gift for writing and character development, he seems to feel that all science fiction gernes can be intermixed without concern. I recommend this book only to true sci fi readers who can enjoy a book in spite of itself, or college guys looking for something to rival that last Night of the Living Dead remake you just saw.
Rating:
Summary: There are enough ideas in here for four novels.
Review: In the tradition Frank Herbert's masterwork, "Dune", Mr. Hamilton does a credible job in blending an enormously provocative and stunningly complex plot into a damn good yarn that has me wanting more. I'd agree with some of the other commentators that this book seemed to have some dead weight that could have been jettisoned. The fact that the author has occasionally delightfully surprised me by later showing the relevance of plot lines that were initially difficult to slog through, leads me to believe that this is a "plot device" that will fade as his universe becomes firmly established. I am more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until I have delved further into this series. So far, I am awed by the author's ability to craft a time/space that rings with authenticity. The various minutia that occasionally test one's attention span, ultimately serve to provide those critical little details which, when taken as a whole, separate an average SF world-construct from one that trancends the page and takes up residence in one's brain as a place too real to ignore or forget. I don't think I have been as intrigued by the opening of a series since the first volume of Orson Scott Card's, "The Tales of Alvin Maker". Mr. Hamilton has started out very strong. Let's hope he can maintain his own high quality, and above all, not get so caught up in the gizmos and gadgets that he loses sight of the superb human (and non-human) interactions that are the true backbone of this novel. All nitpicking aside, I ate this book up, and was sorry when it was over.
Rating:
Summary: Overall good book! Drags in parts though!!
Review: This first installment of this series is good and encourages me about the potential of the entire series. I found the story to be very interesting, but it dragged in certain spots. Also hard to follow some the characters throughout the novel, but beyond those minor things it was good!!!
Rating:
Summary: A great reading, with a lot of setup and a great imagination
Review: This book is great! I've just finished it, and I can't wait to read the next parts. This guy takes its time to build the characters (I remember saying: "I've read half the book and the characters still don't know each other"), like developing his pieces, but once he starts moving the pieces, the action really starts. The author takes you from one story to another, and you just can't wait to see how both of them develop. It's a very good book. People "datavises", "sensevises" and lots of stuff that really leave your brain spinning. I love Asimov and Clark, and like Stephen Baxter's work a lot, if that serves you as a reference.
Rating: 
Summary: DON'T BUY THIS BOOK
Review: This is one of the worst science fiction books I have ever read. For the first time in my life I threw a book away. This book deals with the rape and ritual murder of men, women and children. I am not a prude or a religious fanatic - but the content of this book made me sick. Although there were some interesting concepts in the book, they were overshadowed by the emphasis on Satanism, rape and murder. If they had a 0 I would have given it that.
Rating:
Summary: Deep and Dark. Worthy beggining of a series.
Review: If the rest of the books are as good as this one, I would doubt that this saga can be anything less that a classic. The universe is detailed and portrayed with a rich characters. What I found more attractive was the dark climate created by Hamilton, which almost forces you to read the next books in the series. If you liked the first books of the Hyperion saga, you'll love this one.
Rating:
Summary: Beginning of a saga along the lines of the Dune series
Review: If you like your science fiction with some weight to it, this is a series you'll be interested in. Reminiscent of Frank Herbert's Dune series or Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, Hamilton has created a joy to read. Elements of politics, economics, intrigue and excellent characterization are interwoven into a delightful what-if science fantasy tapestry. A page turner that leaves you rushing to find the next chapter...and pondering the the moral, ethical and practical considerations Hamilton has introduced in the meantime.
Rating:
Summary: As good as Banks
Review: It was a really fufilling read. I didn't know what to expect when I started but it surpassed my expectations. Defininetly as good as anything by Ian Banks whom I hold in the highest regard.
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