Emergence

I'm writing this more as a review of the entire series that of just this first book. I figure no one would bother with the first book if they didn't have some interest in the entire series. The first book is a little slow. Frankly, I came close to not buying the second Reality Dysfunction title because this first didn't seem to be headed anywhere very fast. On that topic: just be patient. Although this is sold as a series of six 500-700 page books, it is really three 1000-1400 page books. They're just chopped in two and it does mean that end of Reality Dysfuntion Pt I, Neutronium Alchemist Pt I and Naked God Pt I are just blahs. No cliff-hangers at all...but that's because it is really only the end of a chapter. The cliff hangers come at the end of the second part of the books. That being said, the concepts in this book/series like sentient biological starships, possession, interesting alien races, etc. Hamilton does a great job of world creation and story telling. I have immensely enjoyed the entire ~3200 pages of this series. My only caveats. One is frequently noted by others and I'll second it. The ending of the series where they find "the answer" is lame, hokey, stupid, etc. There is a certain "ta-da" aspect to it. Still, the other 3100 pages of the series were enjoyable enough to make up for that. The disappointment is probably that I have to think Hamilton could have wrapped up better. He also leaves a few plot threads up in the air which I found odd. The other caveat is this: What is with sex in these sci-fi books set several hundred years in the future? "Forever War" was this way too. You know...its the "future where everyone has sex with everyone they meet". Hamilton isn't overly graphic with it, but its a little over the top. Some of it fits in the story, but most is just excessive. I'm not a prude, but it takes away from the joy of passing a book on. My wife who was an english major actually enjoys GOOD sci-fi(much to her chagrin). Just read "Deepness in the Sky" and thanked me many times for suggesting it. I'd be ashamed to pass this series on to her for this reason and would never let my daughter read it. Its a shame because otherwise the series has a lot to recommend it. So, sorry kids, PARENTAL WARNING: If you're reading these reviews to police what your teenage boy is reading, be warned. The men are mostly womanizers and the women are "powerful women who aren't afraid to use their sexuality to get what they want". Spare me. Overall....great series. Crummy ending. Too much sex, but otherwise great.

Very few Science Fiction novels can manage (well) the scope and intricacy required to effectively build characters that literally jump out of the book....This is one of those few. Every reader has personal favorites in terms of story lines and writing style...As for myself... I will proudly rate this series above Asimov's "Foundation Series", Vinge's "Fire Upon the Deep" or Herbert's "Dune",(Blasphemy I know). I found it difficult to put the book down, even at work:). The intricate character building, assorted plots and the insightful, but original, variations of technology used, create a believable world that swallows the reader and drags them willingly into the future. Far too often SciFi "epics" expose the reader to the same technology and themes...NOT this series. If you want to read horror...SciFi at its grandest...political intrigue...Future economics...All out, Ultra High-Tech Warfare...and ABOVE ALL "Original Thought"...Then read "The Reality Dysfunction" and ALL of the others in this series. It will be difficult to find another Science Fiction epic capable of building such a grand cast of characters and intensly high energy plot. If you love SciFi at its best and want to immerse yourself into the funnest, most enjoyable page burn'n novel ever...Read this!

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.

I could blabber on for ages about how amazingly cool this book is... But the fact is all I can say is simply - READ IT! Ok, so it takes a while to get going. But when it does it's a real page-turner... And when the Reality Dysfunction itself occours, the story takes on a whole new dimension. Exotic technology, facinating characters, sentient starships, massive space-battles... If this were ever put on the big screen it would blow everything else away. It seemed a bit daunting at first taking on the whole 1200 pages of this (the European version), but I found myself realy getting into it after the first couple of hundred pages and ploughing through chapters after that. The only gripe I have with it is the sheer number of characters (each with thier own colourful histories) that are introduced. No wonder the sequal book, 'The Neutronium Alchemist' (which I have just started by the way and does not let up the pace) has a cast-listing of them all! The universe Hamilton has created is Epic in scope and TRD keeps hopping from planet to planet following the advance of the darkness... Probably the greatest creative act in the field of Sci-Fi since Babylon 5 blew away the cobwebs of Star Trek... Without a doubt the best book I've read this year.

The Reality Dysfunction opens your mind to worlds of stunning beauty, characters with both noble and sinister goals and a wonderful description of what the future may hold in store for humanity. The story focuses on the tropical planet of Lalonde. Recently opened for colonization, the planet is still very primitive and humanity spread thin. Here colonists and deportees fight aganist the wild nature and a primitive existence far from their usual lives on the core worlds to build a home and a future. In these hellish settings Mankind comes face to face with a nightmare of epic proportions - the return of our one true adversary. At the same time, the book introduces two branches of evolution, the Adamists, which embraces a human-machine interface, and the Edenists, which makes use of bio-engineering and intelligent creatures. Based on different perceptions of life and religion, these two cultures each have their advantages and problems, which opens up to a certain amount of racism and misunderstandings. Not only does Peter F. Hamilton master the ability to make a wealth of persons come to life with each their unique motivation, he also describes a future taking its outset in the major tendencies of today, creating a believable universe for the characters to roam. Being the first book in a triology, The Reality Dysfunction leaves many questions unanswered and stories to be told, yet it promises well for the sequel, which I'm waiting for with anticipation.