Judas Unchained

This is for both books - better than Night's Dawn:
You need to read both books together. It really is one book split into two volumes. Unlike Night's Dawn you do get to an ending (not THE ending, it is clear that this series can go on if desired). Others have filled in the major points - so here are some issues not adequately addressed in the reviews IMHO. The BIG one is the life-extending tech. Basically, barring very bad luck, you can't die permanently. Bodies are rejuvenated when they get old. If you manage to get killed, a new body is grown for you in about a year and your memory backups are downloaded. Good as new! How you can back up a person on a flash drive is not really explained in detail. Nor is the fact you could make endless copies of yourself. Unlike a conventional clone, they would be you with your memories! This is never exploited or even commented on. Peter Hamilton, in all his works, seems fascinated with society being run by large companies, "Dynasties", and "Grand Families" as superior to inefficient governments. If the heads of these organizations NEVER DIE, human society would undergo massive upheaval. Can you imagine knowing you could never work your way to the top because the top was never going anyplace? How many people would still want to have kids if they were never going to die themselves? Surely not as many as now. Also religion is barely mentioned. Surely not having to ever meet God in person would change the world's religions! The odd mix of tech is interesting. Gasoline and diesel powered cars are still common on less-developed worlds. One would thing the fuel cell would finally have made it 400 years from now! Trains are the major method of inter-stellar transport. There are atomic, diesel, and steam trains running around the galaxy via wormholes. Also not made clear is the expense of inter-stellar train tickets. In some cases it seems easier to commute to work across hundreds of light years than to make it a few miles across a crowded city. Finally, why oh why would ANYONE not want to utterly wipe out MorningLightMountain? It only wants to kill all other life forms. I can't imagine you could find 3 people in the whole Galaxy that wouldn't push the button with a smile on their face.

Not Free SF Reader:
Ok, he's done it again. Another great book. Taking the creepy politico-mystery from the first book, and mutating through that to an out and out action thriller by the end. Just great fun. Put Mr. Hamilton down as still on the list of 'will read anything he writes'. Highly recommended. Really, really, long, and could be used as a weapon, in hardback! :)

Still a wonderful universe but not so thorough as previous offerings:
The conclusion of Mr. Hamilton's most recent duology. I deliberately took a long time to read this book as I do so enjoy the universe that he crafts. I was less impressed by this anthology than by his previous offerings. There were many characters (Ozzie and Paula for instance) that I felt were never adequately explored. However in a universe as rich with characters as this, I suppose everybody has their favorites and wants to see them on center stage more than the others. (***Spoiler Alert***) Don't read further if you have not yet read this book and do not want any details given away!! I also felt that the end portion of the book was not fully satisfying. Perhaps it was the intent, but I felt that the ultimate antagonist in this story was never properly realized. Also, the final conflict was somewhat contrived and unsatisfying. Don't get me wrong, I fully enjoyed the entire lead up and I do not read these stories solely for the ending. But usually the ending can be counted upon to be as satisfying as the experience of getting there. So I would still recommend the books based on that alone.

Great writing and perception:
Not well known in the US this British author is writing the best epic SciFi on the market.I have been reading this genre for more than 50 years and he is a breath of fresh air and this series is not quite to the standards of the Reality Disfunction series but excellent none the less.

Feel good book that makes you long for the future:
There are times when the story drones on and there are times you can't put the book down because the story line sucks you in. If you want to envision what the future might look like, sit back and enjoy Peter's book.