Salvation: A Novel (The Salvation Sequence Book 1)

First, I would like to say that the worldbuilding of “Salvation” is truly masterful. A major technological breakthrough - utilization of quantum entanglement - allows humans to build portals. Deriving from this single concept, Peter paints a convincing picture of a 22nd century society which differs from ours in such areas as transportation, housing, energy production, ecology. The descriptions are fitting to the plot, never seeming to me as a bolt-on filler.The story comprises of two timelines. More emphasis is placed on the near-future one, with the humanity starting to become interstellar species. It has more plot elements, twists and mysteries (and narrators - other reviewers without doubt compare its structure to Cantenbury tales), while the narrative of the far future - of our civilization descendants, running from alien adversary - is more straightforward, but thrilling nonetheless. I presume that next parts of the “Salvation” series will slowly put more weight on the second story, while the first one is more of a foundation, making me genuinely interested in the fate of humans.I have never read anything from Peter Hamilton… now I know I have a lot to catch up on. “Salvation” is just plainly captivating, showing the author’s ingenuity in character and plot creation. I certainly can’t wait for the next installment.

Peter F. Hamilton is one of those British authors who writes space opera/hard science fiction, along with folks like Alastair Reynolds, who seem to be wildly popular but don't get a lot of recognition - although Reynolds does get more recognition than Hamilton does, and has recently had Hugo nominated novellas (Slow Bullets in 2016 and Troika in 2011). Most notably absent from awards rolls is Iain M. Banks, whose Culture novels are widely loved but oddly lack recognition. Banks' THE ALGEBRAIST was a finalist for the Best Novel Hugo in 2005, but it wasn't a Culture book.Hamilton writes space operas that are grand in scope, with multitudes of characters and complex plots. His stories are more idea than character driven, which is probably why these days his books do not make the short lists for awards. What his stories are is traditional old school science fiction, providing a grand sense of wonder with modern sensibilities - except for that whole character thing. I've heard many a reader say "I stopped reading that book (which ever "that" book is) because none of the characters grabbed me and I didn't care for any of them." That's fair, of course. My love of science fiction as a youth was driven by these idea driven, sense of wonder stories. Many people must still feel that way, as writers like Hamilton still sell but don't win awards.SALVATION is the first novel in the "Salvation Sequence", to be followed by SALVATION LOST and SAINTS OF SALVATION. It is not set in the Commonwealth universe, but in a brand new universe. Like the books of the Commonwealth Universe, the story advances in multiple settings, with seemingly unrelated characters and events, which eventually join up at the end to knock the reader for a loop. SALVATION has an additional twist; the story also follows two different timelines. The first is set in 2204, and the other is in the far future 51st century. The linking technology is quite literally linking; quantum entangled trans-dimensional gates that are placed throughout the galaxy. This has the effect of making traditional modes of transportation outdated and useless. Still, there are places that spaceships can't yet go.In the 2200s, an unknown space ship is found on a planet that has been recently explored, and a team of experts and specialists are sent to the planet to investigate the ship and its contents. In the 51st century, the story follows the development of specially genetically engineered troops whose purpose is to fight and destory an ancient alien enemy.You wouldn't think these two things are related, would you? Yes, yes you would.I found the portion of the novel that deals with 2204 much more readable, accessible, and interesting. I would think that's because the soldiers of the 51st century are foreign, almost alien to me. We see how the genetically engineered military units are built, trained, and come together. But that part of the story line doesn't really hold any interest for me. Well, except until the very end.SALVATION is typical Hamilton, starting out with a sprawling story, the parts of which don't seem to fit together. And yet, as with any other Hamilton story, the parts DO fit together, and a narrative that doesn't seem to be making any sense comes together just when it needs to. I wouldn't call it the best of his novels, but since it's the beginning of something new I think it needs to be given a chance. I look forward to SALVATION LOST.John Lee once again proves to be an outstanding narrator for a Hamilton novel. His tone and inflection reflect the majesty of a star spanning story as well as the complexity of the plot that Hamilton has written. He seems to be well suited for space opera; he was also great as the narrator of Reynolds' THE PREFECT. I look forward to his narration of the next book in the series.

In the 21st Century humanity is expanding into the galaxy with the invention of instantaneous transport. To use the device, however, one must first place a receiver at the destination. This mode of transportation is not only used to step between distant worlds must also to get around in a city.On one far-away world an important discovery is made, as an alien ship is found with frozen humans aboard. A high-powered assessment team is assembled to investigate the situation.Much of the book consists of flash-backs into the lives of the assessment team which illuminates the type of society humans live in the 22nd Century.The book also has some interesting philosophical/sociological discussions as mankind has divided into two main groups. The Universal society which dominates the Solar System is basically capitalistic while the Utopials who are concentrated on terraformed planets are basically socialistic.The book comes to an exiting and somewhat shocking end as mankind faces an alien threat. It left me eagerly awaiting the next book of the trilogy.

If you haven't read Peter Hamilton expect through several storylines until finally you get to Unity. As always, a complex and often confusing walk through a possible future. I don't believe that it is possible to come up with a scenario the author can be presented with that he unlocked extrapolate and unwind and to a thoroughly enjoyable mesmerizing storyline. Just what he imagines is hard to match and where he imagined it from. I could do without the pronoun nonsense which in my opinion is a passing fad in our current Society but he adopts it and makes the usage and evolution believable. I follow about 6 authors currently pretty creating new works, if I could choose only one it would be Peter Hamilton. Once you start you can't put it down. One word of warning, long chapters you may be there awhile.

Einfach brilliant. Wenn ich das Buch mit einem Wort zusammenfassen müsste, dann wäre es dieses. Mein erster Hamilton war "The Great North Road" und schon das Buch hat mich extrem beeindruckt. In "Salvation" spinnt der Autor eine komplexe Geschichte aus verschiedensten Blickwinkeln der einzelnen Akteure hin zu einem genialen Aha-Moment am Ende des Buches. Trotz Hard Scify und Space Opera schafft Hamilton es, seinen Charakteren Leben, Glaubwürdigkeit und Tiefe einzuhauchen, ohne sich in technokratische Details oder schmalzigem Heldenkitsch zu verlieren. Nebenbei überbrückt er spielend Jahrzehnte und Jahrhunderte an Erzählsträngen und Zeitsprüngen. Ich freue mich wirklich schon riesig auf das zweite Buch!

[NO HAY SPOILERS EN ESTA RESEÑA] Este es el primer libro de la trilogía y está pensado para ser la introducción a la historia. Es algo lento y presenta múltiples historias que se cuentan de manera paralela. La trilogía al completo está pensada como un solo libro y lo cierto es que el segundo y tercer libro se disfrutan mucho más que el primero, aunque es necesaria su lectura para dar forma al universo en el que se desarrollan los acontecimientos.Muy en la línea de otras novelas de Hamilton, presenta una historia relativamente consistente que se lee con interés. A nivel ciencia ficción, no es ciencia ficción hard, pero se atreve a proponer concpetos altamente especulativos e imaginativos.Como libro individual lo puntuo con tres estrellas, como trilogía, con 4 o más

As usual a precise and possible evolution scenario of our society. Hamilton has the analytical precision of a sociologist, entangled with the ability to create a thrilling atmosphere, proper toa good writer.Maybe the Canterbury's tales structure of the book is a little redundant, still, as usual in his trilogy books, the patchwork get a powerful meaning at the end

It feels like Hamilton has matured since he wrote my favourite pair of books (Pandora's Star, Judas Unchained). There are a lot of similarities between the two books -- some characters are similar and some inter-character dynamics are similar. For example, there is a painful event in the past that is related to political/social ideology, and it caused a rift between two colleagues/friends. So I don't think anyone can accuse the book of being entirely original.That being said, I feel this is a better story than anything he's written before (and I've read it all, even his collection of shorts). It reads like a more mature version of his earlier self. For instance: there are no rock-hard abs precocious teenage redheads sleeping their way to the top (unfortunately for some, I suppose). The relationships feel real, like there is weight behind how they think. The socioeconomic arguments are solid and thought-provoking. And maybe most important, Hamilton breaks a cardinal rule of narration in a very clever way, which makes total sense and had me shaking my head in awe (thinking: wow, he actually did that... nice).In my opinion, you can ignore the other reviewers who say it's boring until the end. This book has a solid mystery and narrative drive from the third chapter on. Maybe some of the investigation stories can get tiresome, but each has a payoff that is well worth the time invested. Then the end comes. And what an ending. Maybe you can guess it, if you really wanted to. Or you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.One of the best SF books I've read in awhile. A definite can't-miss for fans of Hamilton, and a fantastic starting point for anyone who loves thought-provoking SF. It asks real questions about what direction humanity could (should) go. And it's entertaining as hell.

5-Stars! Completely, utterly brilliant!Wow! So nice to be immersed again in Peter's wonderful, flowing prose and extraordinary narrative precision. No one considers and plans every aspect of their books like Hamilton, and it shows.This first book is an introduction to the characters and situations of the series, presented along two timelines with the first (The Assessment Team) about 150-200 years in the future, around the time of the alien Olyix ship arrival in 2144, and another (Juloss) about 580-600 years after the arrival.These two timelines are extraordinarily well-written, as you would expect from Hamilton, and interleaved perfectly. The switch between the narrative timelines occurs only 6 times in the 550 page book, at natural points in the story. Perfect.The main timeline, "The Assessment Team", is presented as a kind of Canterbury Tales, a series of novellas, one for each main character showing their present time with the team, and their recent pasts as pertinent to the mystery of the crashed, unknown alien ship.Between each Tale we see the characters of Juloss in the more distant future. In all there are perhaps 50 characters in the story tapestry, but perhaps only 20 are of real importance. They are introduced gradually throughout the book (no overload!).Salvation coverFull size image hereInterleaved with (1) "Assessment Team" meetings and actions, the "tales" are from the viewpoints of (2) Callum and Yuri (corporate moguls) when they were young men, (3) Alik (an FBI agent extraordinaire), (4) Kandara (a dark-ops super-mercenary), and (5) Feriton Kayne's corporate spy mission to the Olyix mothership. Each character is beautifully portrayed, with their own individual voices and histories.Gradually, as each superb tale is told, the pieces of the central mystery become clear. Clues and events are woven brilliantly into a five-star tapestry. The book has the feel of five or six novellas, but perfectly tying into each other as we proceed.My favourite aspect of Peter's writing is his foundation in the most advanced thoughts in current scientific thinking, and his incredible attention to world-building and plot development. Every page shows his care and love of his craft, like no other author I know. So many elements of the story are not only plausible, but probable (within the story), as well as truly fascinating. Wow.For example: At one point, he mentions the thickness of rock needed to protect the Olyix from cosmic rays, in their journey of millions of years. So many scientists today ignore this deadly aspect when considering trips to Mars. (To wit: Cosmic radiation is so unstoppable and so deadly that most astronauts would get cancer within a 6 month one-way trip to Mars!)For myself, I am extremely well-read in current science and technology. I say that "I am a modern renaissance man", as in … I know everything that I "don't know" …, and Peter is right there, too. I love his love of science, and his love of the mysteries of the universe and our place in it.Peter's invention of portable quantum "entangled portals" of varying sizes, allowing instantaneous travel anywhere, is far advanced from the staid wormhole-and-trains systems of The Commonwealth series, and is far more plot-flexible and liberating for the action of the story.Impression: The twisted interlinking quantum portalsFull size image hereAs the first in a series of books, Peter has produced not only a fascinating introduction to his new universe, but also shown us how a very complicated set of characters and events can be presented without confusion, and with genuine love of his creation.The ending is not a cliffhanger, but a natural breakpoint in the stories. We've been guided wonderfully through Peter's vision, and left wholly satisfied yet eager to continue with this extraordinary new world.-Notes and quotes:An Olyix says:Sentient species are the children of this universe, the reason it exists.Alexandre says:"Trust is at the core of human nature, one of our greatest curses –and blessings."Monomolecule filaments as weapons(homage: John Brunner's Stand on Zanzibar, 1968)‘Buzz gun,’ Alik said. The gun itself was nothing special, just an electromagnetic barrel to ensure the projectile accelerated smoothly. But the buzz rounds it fired were mildly unstable. They were made from incredibly tightly wound coils of monomolecule filament, which expanded outwards on impact, so the target got to experience what it was like to be sliced apart by ten thousand razor blades, all travelling in different directions.Alik discussing a murder"There were two crews hit that apartment, and they ripped each other apart like sharks on acid."The advent of portals makes roads obsolete...New York City streets transformed into ribbon parks ...As Alik stood in the biting cold, listening to Bietzk, his gaze tracked along [street] Van Wyck’s trees with their mantle of thin prickly ice, as if they’d grown thorns to protect themselves through the winter. A mirror of the citizens who walked among them, bristling with hostility and rooted in the structure of the past.I've been here on the beach, at sunrise in Rio... Magical.Early morning on Copacabana beach, before the gold-skinned body gods began strutting their glistening physiques for the tourists and lovelorn to envy, the horizontal rays of the sun were playing across the water to create a dazzling shimmer.Jessika compares jungle capitalism to more advanced societiesIn any decent civilization, healthcare is a right, not a privilege.Kandara talks about fanatics/terroristsIdeology is a sick soul-meme; it gnaws basic decency away until you can self-justify the most extreme acts as worthwhile to further the cause. Any cause.’Tyle saysMore organic equivalence. ‘Real Utopial von Nueman-ism,’Tyle to Kandara, on self-replicating spaceships for Utopial existenceThe industrial stations will have engulfed Bremble, at which point they won’t bother replicating themselves. They’ll just consume the remaining rock to build habitats. After another fifty years, there’ll be nothing left, and they’ll fly to new asteroids and begin again.’‘That seems almost . . . dangerous.’Kandara‘It never starts with jackboots and black uniforms,’ Kandara said. ‘Just good intentions. But that’s how it always ends.’Grand Homage to other sci-fi mastersThe Juloss battleships mentioned in this volume are named the (Paul J.) McAuley, the (Richard K.) Morgan, and the (Neal) Asher.