The Temporal Void

Holidays. The only time where I can read or "dream with open eyes" (text from a bookmark). This year, it was "The Temporal Void" by Peter F. Hamilton. It's the sequel to "The Dreaming Void" (my review).

Again, the series is coming along great (which Peter can probably see on your bank account :) Well deserved if you ask me). I like the rich characters, the story is sound and believable. Recommendation: Buy. Now.

There were three spots which I didn't "buy" in "The Temporal Void", places where I dropped from the story and thought "WTF?" Note: Only mild spoilers below; you can read on even if you haven't read the book, yet.

1. So Aaron is stranded on Hanko, the planet is about to blow up and the Navy scout is about to pick him up. After being warned that he's dangerous, having the best sensors military money can buy, they let him simply walk on their ship battle ready and kill them. I mean, OK, shit happens and maybe these was the Omega ship with the best morons the Navy could find and such ... but ... nah, really :) With instant comm available at all times, no one is watching this important operation? There isn't even a recording? Didn't buy that one.

   The same happened in the first part when Aaron broke into the storage vault to claim Inigos memories. Why did you place the guards *inside* (where all that delicate stuff will break if they ever would have to engage someone)? Why not place them on the other side of the vault door where they can pummel any intruder against a foot or two of solid steel, without any cover?

2. Edeard finds his childhood friend Salrana in the clutches of Ranalee and leaves her there. I never thought he would be the character to leave someone behind. He knows only bad can come from this; I mean it's only the tenth time this happens, he got to learn something, right? If he dragged Salrana away, the girl would be mad but he could leave her with the Pythia and look for a solution if she doesn't know one. If all else fails, he could simply blackmail Ranalee into fixing what she did. So I accept that he's tired and worn out and all that but this just didn't fit.
3. Paula and the quantumbuster. So this thing really distorts spacetime to wreak havoc with matter. How can she get away when space is so twisted? How about just nailing her in place using the ships in orbit and blowing up the station the traditional way?

Other than that, the story is the usual perfect piece of work from Peter. I've posted the text above in Peter's inbox; should I get a reply, I'll post it here.

The Dreaming Void

The Dreaming Void is not an insult but the latest book of Peter F. Hamilton. It's been sitting in my shelf for quite some time, now, and since I'm sick with the flu, I had a couple of hours between fever attacks to read.

I'm again impressed how Peter can flesh out characters with a few sentences. As an aspiring writer, it's always both intimidating and relieving to read a good book. On one hand, it shows how much more one has to travel, on the other hand, it shows it's an effort well spent.

All in all, a good story, maybe a bit confusing because the author skips back and forth between so many characters, storylines and timelines which makes it hard to track what happened in which order and why something is important. It shows Peters talent as a writer how he can manage all these details without ever stumbling. He's also probably the only SciFi author who can get away at writing a couple of pages how to renovate a flat including buying a new kitchen and a bathroom for it. :)

There is one sore spot, though. In one scene, Aaron breaks into a high-security memory-cell vault and gets pummeled by two heavily armed guards. In the process, a lot of damage is dealt to the environment, especially the racks with the memory cells and their valuable content.

Peter, please. No one in their right mind allows heavy arms near valuable, delicate stuff. Next time, put these guards in the corridor before the vault, so they can hammer away at any intruder with a fat, reliable forcefield between them and the cells with takes the excess damage. That would make it a bit more realistic.

Other than that, a great book. Recommendation: Buy.