The Abyss Beyond Dreams

Chronicle of the Fallers, Book 1

By: Peter F. Hamilton

Narrated by: John Lee

The first volume in the Chronicles of the Fallers, The Abyss Beyond Dreams is an incredible adventure, exploring the mystery at the heart of the Peter F. Hamilton's sprawling Commonwealth Universe. For fans of Iain M. Banks and Alaistair Reynolds.

To save their civilization, he must destroy it.

When a so-called prophet sees visions of a lost civilization, Nigel Sheldon is asked to investigate. Especially as these dreams seem to be coming from the Void – a mysterious area of space with hugely destructive capabilities. Then Nigel crash-lands inside the Void, and finds so much more than he expected. Bienvenido: a planet populated by survivors from long-vanished Commonwealth ships.

For centuries their descendants have been fighting a desperate battle against the Fallers, space-born predators that have evolved to conquer worlds. And Nigel soon realizes that the Fallers hold the key to the destruction of the Void itself. If he can survive long enough to find it . . .

Continue the adventure with the second in the duology, Night Without Stars.

©2014 Peter F. Hamilton (P)2014 Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Critic reviews

'Huge cast, enormous canvas, big ideas – mega in every way' – Daily Mail

Again, can not get enough of it

I've become a huge Commonwealth Saga fan ever since I listened to Pandora's Star (the very first part). This story in this new mini series (and by mini I mean it only has two parts, not that they are short books...) takes place largely parallel to that in the Void Trilogy. Which you should really listen to first, before you start with this one.
I was happy to meet some beloved characters again, though not all of them could be there of course, given this particular plot line.
As always the plot of this novel is intricate, with very well-fleshed out, very human characters, each with flaws and strenghts. You'll need to concentrate when you're listening, or you will loose your place - again, as usual with the Commonwealth books.

The book is very long but I consider that a treat. It's like all great novels and sagas: the longer the better, you simply want to stay immersed, hoping the experienced will never end. Fortunately there's a sequel to this novel - although unfortunately that one will finish the entire saga.

This is certainly not a fluffy, light read. You really have to go all in, but then an awesome new universe awaits you. I compare it to the Dune and Foundation sagas in its awesomeness and depth.

Narration by John Lee is great, I really find him the perfect narrator for Hamilton's books. He does great voices and accents, without overacting.

Nothing but praise, highly recommend!

Love it

Great book, great story, great narrator - its just great! If you dont like a long streichers story this might not be for you, But if you do, try it! Commonwealth saga is absolutely great too if u get hooked like i have !

Captivating story line

Less Victoria era drama than Void trilogy. Really enjoyable complex story line that keeps you entertained. Cant wait to start sequel

Superbly done

One of my most favourite authors with a new book that is great, performed well with enough feeling to give the characters life, loved it

excepțional book

I've read some comments that compared Peter F Hamilton with Asimov and I am a huge fan of Asimov). I would say Peter Hamilton's books have a richer content, more action and stories teaming with liveliness and inovațive detail (understandable given the time distance they wrote their books). Whole new worlds recreated in excepțional detail yet perceivable by the reader.

I fully recomend the Commonwealth series and the alternative void series ( the original void and this new one).

It has everything

A story that covers it all from horror, aliens, political intrigue, biological robots, clones and technology beyond your wildest dreams, of yeah and a smidgen of sex, drugs and debauchery for good measure. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a while......I am pressing play on the next title in the series asap :)

Good Void alternative story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it to people who allready read the Void series.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

I thought he he did a great job. I don't understand the problems other people have with him.

Any additional comments?

Someone said it's the same old story reinterpreted. He's right. It even has a chase in the final. Yes. It involves trains.
But in the end, if you are looking for an answer to the question: "Should I buy it?", then I say YES if you enjoyed Peter F. Hamilton's books before and only if you read the Void series. Otherwise you may find yourself lost in this small story from a big Univers.

Annoying narrator

I love science fiction.
It's my favorite genre.
But I can't stand fictive techno babble.
You don't need a crazy sounding name on every single item and concept in your world.
It's just silly.
And this book has a loooooot of techno babble...

The story seems interesting though, but unfortunately I just can't stand listening to the narrator.
I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT STAND old men who brighten their voices when they read female dialogue...
It sounds absolutely ridiculous and I can't take anything they say seriously...
It completely breaks my immersion.