The Nano Flower

I wasn't going to write a review but I was so amazed at the previous reviewers comments about the poor quality of the ending to the book that I felt compelled to add my own comments. It has, perhaps been superceded by the later, grander works, but not in terms of quality. The major problem with this book, and indeed with the "Greg Mandel Series" as a whole, is that like so many SF authors, the author set the events a little too close to the present. Real history has over-taken the events described. When reading the books today you have to suspend the natural inclination to see the book as predictive and view it instead, as a kind of parallel alternate history(like "Watchmen" or "The Man in the High Castle").If you can do that there is much to enjoy in the series. A more minor difficulty is, that this is the third book in the series, and while it is possible to read it without reading the others first it is not advisable. In fact one of the best features of the books is the way that all the characters grow and change as the story progresses. The first book in the series("Mindstar Rising") is good and introduces the chracters and world very well. The second is a decent enough read, but ultimately not of the standard of the others. This book, the third and final istallment, is the best by far and features some of the the most brilliantly realised SF I've ever read. A criticsm sometimes directed at the later works is that the ride is great but the finish doesn't always match it. In this book he actually exceeds expectations. Since all three books in the series are about as long as one instalment of the "Night's Dawn Trilogy" and are as readable as anything he has written since, I would recommend this, and them, to any fan of the author. In truth it is a great place to start if you are knew to him; it worked for me.

The three books in Peter F. Hamilton's Greg Mandel series were written before his "Night's Dawn" series. I'm not certain of this, but they seem to occur in the same universe as that series, just at a MUCH earlier time. Regardless, this series is excellent. What's especially nice, is that, for the most part, each of these books stands alone. You still need to read them in order, but none of them ends in a cliff-hanger requiring your reading of the next. Unfortunately, each of these books has a few fairly explicit sexual situations described in them. The amount of sex increases as you move from book to book. If it weren't for that, I'd recommend these books for everyone. "Mindstar Rising" is the first book in the series. It's a very good, fast-paced sci-fi action thriller. The book introduces all the important characters and the "universe" used throughout the series. For the most part, the character development is good. I have a few qualms about a character or two suddenly being more capable than they are during the majority of the book, but that's mostly inconsequential. The plot, too, is very good. However, the transition between the first, introductory, situation in the book and the primary situation could have been worked better: it seems contrived. But, I might be seeing that solely because I've read the book four times now. "A Quantum Murder" is the second book in the series. This book takes place about three years after "Mindstar Rising." Instead of being the science-fiction action thriller that the first book is, it's more of a science fiction mystery. It's a close call, but I think this book is slightly better than "Mindstar Rising." Once again, there's good character development, but this time, the plot is somewhat more tightly put together. I've only got a couple of quibbles: first, in one scene, Mandel's psi powers inexplicably include actual telepathy instead of just the empathy described in "Mindstar Rising." And, second, after the characters find out who the murderer is, instead of sending the police out immediately, they close up shop for the night and say they'll do it in the morning. Other than that, this is an excellent book which shows the origins of a lot of the technology in the "Night's Dawn" series. "The Nano Flower" is the third, and final, book in the series. The various dates specified in the book don't quite agree, but, in general, it seems to takes place about 16 years after "A Quantum Murder." Like "Mindstar Rising," it's a sci-fi action thriller. Like "A Quantum Murder," it further develops technologies that Hamilton uses in his "Night's Dawn" series. Also, as in "A Quantum Murder," Mandel's psi-powers have once again expanded. Of the three books, this is probably the best. It's a hard comparison to make since the second book is more of a mystery and this book more of an action-thriller. But, in general, I'd say there's an incremental improvement in these books as you move through the se

This book is a climatic conclusion to Peter Hamilton's cyberpunk trilogy. Crusading Trinities had taken out the last remnants of PSP agents; there were heavy losses on both sides. Now, the New Conservative Government is in power, backed by a new, promising economic growth. Set a couple of decades after 'A Quantam Murder', Julia Evans, now physically the owner of multi-billionaire corporation 'Event Horizon', visits Greg on a personal matter of some urgency. Royan - once a chairbound info-guru - has gone missing. Equally distressed, Greg accepts the challenge. But the trail is besmirched with blood and deceit. Innocent people are being killed, as a ruthless murderer is hot in pursuit. Greg's only chance of finding Royan is a mysterious message: a strange flower. Leol Reiger is great as the gunning villain, while the final conclusion is a beginning of another, more fantastic trilogy... I thoroughly enjoyed this Greg Mandel case, reminiscent of an English 'Bladerunner' in global warming. The setting meant a lot to me, because I once lived in Oakham, near Rutland Water, and have often visited Peterborough (quite dry, though, not yet 'Fens'!) Seeing 'Mindstar Rising' advertised as written by a local author, besides the exciting concept on the backcover, inspired me to purchase the trilogy - and then went on to Night's Dawn! Gripping stuff, intricate, believable characters, and cybernetic technology in a world that might one day exist.

In this third and (so far) final installment of the Greg Mandel series, Hamilton brings the trilogy to a new level. The story is fast-paced, with some of the most intense action scenes I've ever read. As usual, the characters are well drawn and the setting is realistic and detailed. After the disappointing "A Quantum Murder", this is a wonderful way to conclude the series. Recommended if you enjoy fast-paced, near-future SF.

The third in this trilogy, The Nano Flower really delivers. I have enjoyed everything that Peter Hamilton has written. He creates a complete world for the reader to become engrossed with and good characters. I highly recommend this book.