Pandora’s Star by Peter F. Hamilton
Yet another masterpiece from one of my favorite science fiction authors. Peter F. Hamilton has the ability to create a rich universe of diverse and interesting characters. Projecting forward from today, with a few technological advances, we find ourselves colonizing the galaxy with the aid of stable wormhole technology. Since we can get from point A to point B without even needing to fly, we find here a society whose primary means of transporation is… trains. Interesting jump that.
Anyway, between life extension technologies, the ability to “relife” deceased folks and the inexorable march forward of the human race, we get to see a society that has had to deal with the population explosion that naturally happens when so few folks – just the ones that choose to – die.
After we get comfortable with this new society, now we must see how it reacts when threatened with a civilization that is completely alien in philosophy and execution of society from our own.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, “Judas Unchained” which is on order at Amazon as I type this.
An excellent read – 980 pages and it was still way too short!