I’m a huge fan of Peter F. Hamilton myself (original username NorthernLightMountain after all) and figured there ought to be more of us around here!

My absolute favorite world of his is the commonwealth universe and really want him to get back to something on that scale again.

I’ve read both the Salvation and Arkship trilogies after that and even though they’re both good I want brick sized epic space opera again!

Might just have to go back an revisit his books again.

I did see that he co-authored a book semi recently that managed to fly under my radar; Light Chaser (written with Gareth L. Powell).

Has anyone read it? No spoilers please :)

  • sarahcanary
    2·
    1 year ago

    I haven’t read any Peter F. Hamilton books yet (though after reading this thread plan too!) but I have read all Gareth L. Powell books. He writes fun adventurous sci fi set in unique worlds. I love his books.

    • nlm@beehaw.orgOP
      2·
      1 year ago

      Oh, and I’d say a good starting point would be Fallen Dragon since it’s a standalone or Pandora’s Star since it’s the start of what imho is hist best work! It’s a universe divided into three series, first the Commonwealth Saga (Pandora’s Star & Judas Unchained) followed by the Void Trilogy (The Dreaming Void, The Temporal Void, The Evolutionary Void) and lastly The Chronicle of the Fallers (The Abyss Beyond Dreams, Night Without Stars)

      There’s a prequel to the Commonwealth Saga as well, Misspent youth… it’s… decent. I wouldn’t start with it but it might be nice if you want a little bit more backstory to the main tech aspects used in the series.

      • sarahcanary
        2·
        1 year ago

        Thank you for the suggested reading order. I looked him up and saw he has written many many of books! Excited to discover a new (to me) sci fi author.

        • nlm@beehaw.orgOP
          2·
          1 year ago

          And almost all of them are great! :)

          There are some complaints about sex scenes in his books. I don’t remember much details from his earlier work, it’s been 20+ years since I read them but I can’t recall ever being bothered by them either.

          I do recall him saying that his publisher back then wanted him to make his books a bit spcier though, so that might be where they’re coming from. Don’t quote me on that though. :)

          He’s a brillian world builder, tech writer and up there with George R R Martin when it comes to juggling character arcs.

          • sarahcanary
            2·
            1 year ago

            Thanks for the warning! In general sex scenes don’t bother me and are easy to skip over if they do. Not letting that get in my way on this new adventure!

            • nlm@beehaw.orgOP
              3·
              1 year ago

              Yeah, I’m the same. It’s sex. In a book. Worse things have happened. :)