This novel narrates two (connected) stories told in alternate chapters. The first one which, I believe, takes place in "reality" in the far future in year 3589, and the other takes place in a strange planet, maybe in a different universe/dimension (?), with people with telekinetic powers, living in primitive conditions. The plot in the reality timeline takes place in multiple scenarios (planets, cities, spaceships) and follows several characters' stories in parallel. The plot in the other dimension is simpler, following one main protagonist.
The main concern of all plot lines taking place in 3589 is the Void. Supposedly a black hole it was discovered later that it was something else. Something that has been devouring the galaxy and everything it contains for millions of years. The Raiel, an alien species, has been researching the Void for millenia from a space base thousands of light years from the edge of the Void. They have built a wall, a kind of barrier using Dyson Spheres, to deter anyone from entering the Void. It is believed that such an act would trigger another devourment phase.
However in one small planet on the edge of the Commonwealth (union of planets) there is a growing cult of people who believe that their destiny is waiting for them inside the Void. The "Living Dream" came to life after an astrophysicist, Inigo, started to have dreams of a young man with outstanding telekinetic powers and who lives in a planet inside the Void. Thanks to his neural implants, Inigo is capable of broadcasting his dreams into the "gaiafield," a network of information and emotions. As the Living Dream gain political and economical power they make plans to build technologically advanced starships to go on pilgrimage. This causes concern among the central government of the Commonwealth, the Raiel and other species who believe this crusade will destroy the galaxy.
Opinion: wow! I loved this novel. So many interesting characters, so many stories. This is an intricate narrative and one has to devote some quiet time to understand and absorbe names, technologies, science and history, all interwoven in an amazing tale.
Regarding characters and their interwoven plots, I would like to highlight, first the way Hamilton describes them: not too in depth, but enough to keep the reader interested and engaged. There is one character called Aaron, who is a man on a mission to find Inigo, but with no memory of who and why he is on that mission. He has a set of body enhancements which are fun to read about. Another character called Paula Myo, a woman more that a thousand years old, and who, I believe played an important role in the Commonwealth saga (haven't read it yet.) She's got an interesting past and I loved her attitude. Next is Araminta a seemingly average woman. At the beginning her story seems disconnected from the rest but then we get a mind blowing twist and understand why she is there. Finally, Mr Bovey an interesting minor character, not because of what he does but because of what he is: a multiple (man), that is, one consciousness/personality in multiple bodies.
Another interesting aspect of the novel is its massive scale in terms of time and space. The Raiel and the Void have existed for millions of years. Humanity now moves across the galaxy in faster than light spaceships. All of this massiveness is rightly explained and justified throughout the novel.
To finish, one thing I didn't quite like was the nature of the story in Inigo's dreams. Much more fantasy than science fiction I would say. Hard for me to follow at some points and the reason why this book is not 5 stars.
Oh and the ending was .... I need book 2 Now!
My book is a paperback published by Pan McMillan in 2014. It has 647 pages.
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