Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding, Superlative
Review: By comparison to other sci-fi authors, who spend a lot of time working on plot with rapid climax and little resolution, Hamilton's 4 part series has both a good story (well told) and excellent character development. And it's a page turner too! I can't wait for the next (fifth in the series) book, "The Naked God". It's unfortunate that Hamilton can't write the books as fast as I can read them. Hamilton does borrow from previous authors' style, in that there are several plot lines happening at once with a multiplicity of characters. This minor fault is overshadowed by the wonderful way he simply tells a story. It's easy to get sucked into it and just as easy to become sympathetic with "the bad guys" (the possessed.)
Rating:
Summary: Immerse yourself in a new world - prepare to get "possessed"
Review: In this series of books Hamilton ceates a unique cosmos of worlds, cultures, aliens, and characters. All without forgetting he has to first entertain and engage his reader. Don't look for deep meaning or some "read between the lines" insight - this is a fun romp through the galaxy. Much like Dune, a new world is created complete with technology, aliens, cultures and language. Unlike Dune, you don't need an appendix to keep up with the action. Don't get the first book(s) (Reality Dysfunction 1 & 2) without buying The Neutronium Alchemist 1 & 2. You won't forgive yourself. Can't wait for the conclusion.
Rating:
Summary: Starship Theatre, Pt.IV
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: A galaxy-wide vision of incredible imagination
Review: This series is more far-reaching than almost any I have read before. The sheer scope is awe inspiring; it's absoluely amazing how complex a world Peter Hamilton has created here.
In this, the 4th book, some old characters, like Quinn Dexter, Ione, the Lord of Ruin, Joshua Calvert and many, many more, are revisited, and new characters introduced.
New twists are revealed and older plot threads wind tighter as this story progresses.
Centering around the mysterious Alchemist, this book continues the fight against the posessed and the struggle to overcome the terrifying revelation about the nature of the Beyond. What is the Alchemist? What can it really do? Is it truly capable of destroying an entire world? I know I was terribly curious.
As this book goes on, more and more worlds are falling to the posessers, and Al Capone's empire is growing fast. Several worlds are already lost beyond retrieving, pulled out of our universe entirely. Is there really a way to stop the dead from returning? Especially when all who live in the Confederation will eventually join them?
It's facinating to me how Hamilton has shown the different ways people are reacting to this crisis. How different people are dealing with this revelation.
I was enthralled yet again by this fantastic story. The way this series is put together is truly beyond belief. The plot is engaging and it really makes you think hard about the nature of our existence.
But I'm not saying that this is the kind of book that will make you change your life. No, it's simply a wonderfully imaginative story, bringing the whole galaxy into focus in a masterfully told tale. The places you get to explore, and the people you meet will make you ready for more, I promise.
One last thing. Don't be intimidated by this book's size. I actually finished it in one day, it was that hard to put down.
I can't wait to read the next.
Rating:
Summary: Masterful, original, hard sci-fi at its best
Review: I have been a sci-fi junkie since I can remember -but a discriminating one. I always make sure a book is good, or at the very least excellent entertainment before commiting to reading it. And when I find a good book, I keep it. My shelves are full of outstanding sci-fi books. And I can confidently place this series among the top five novels/sagas on those shelves. This series has all the ingredients to become an all time classic: 1. A very intelligent and original plot 2. Extremely engaging, gripping reading 3. Believable, well thought, hard science 4. Outstanding character development. 5. A richly complex and realistic universe on a grandiose scale. 6. Lots of action, and lots of ideas. The brilliant narrative of Hamilton has perhaps one feature that gives it its most distinctive flavor: it delivers the most though-provoking, outrageous ideas in a way that makes them completely believable and logical. I was a bit turned off when he described an apparently supernatural fenomenon, but that didn't last long as it quickly made sense and added great value to the experience that this saga is. If you like intelligent, highly entertaining hard sci-fi, do yourself a favor: get a few days off, find a comfortable chair, and read this saga.
Rating:
Summary: Starship Theatre, Pt.IV
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: It's Not Worth It
Review: Volume 4 of a six volume series. See series review on the Reality Dysfunction: Emergence page.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Magic !!!
Review: I am astonished. Peter F Hamilton has created a Universe that you can't help but want to return to. After reading the first book, I was desparate for the second. Not only has he created a world full of both beautiful and dispicable creatures, but he has done what every SF writer should hope to do. He has created a story that you simply cannot put down. Awesome intellect, humanity, and visits to the darkest regions of our heart.
His characters are so believable that you could live in his world. I'm living there now...............enjoy !!!!
Rating:
Summary: Hamilton is a crack dealer!
Review: Well, not literally, but figuratively speaking. This is one of the most addictive Sci Fi epocs I have ever read. Hamilton seemlessly weaves multiple sub-plots and storylines in and out of one another into a series of novels that are nearly impossible to put down. IMPORTANT: Buy Naked God:Flight before you finish this book, or you will not be able to forgive yourself. Had I waited a whole week for the book to arrive after I finished this one, I would have shot myself in the head. Had to immediately run to the nearest book store! Quite the cliff hanger! Great work Mr. Hamilton!
Rating:
Summary: Epic, Space Opera, Grand, Complex, Sweeping
Review: And all the other words that reviewers have used to describe this series... One of the rarest of rare things, a series which doesn't become boring or tired in the gap between books. The Neutronium Alchemist, Part 2: Conflict, picks up where pt. 1 left off and focuses on the search for the Alchemist. Meanwhile all the multiple threads of the possessed, the love interests, the politics, and the history continue. One of the other reviewers said that this series is what science fiction should be, and I can only echo that sentiment.
|
