Know your enemy – or be defeated
AD 2204
An alien shipwreck is discovered on a planet at the very limits of human expansion – so Security Director Feriton Kayne selects a team to investigate. The ship’s sinister cargo not only raises bewildering questions, but could also foreshadow humanity’s extinction. It will be up to the team to bring back answers, and the consequences of this voyage will change everything.
Back on Earth, we can now make deserts bloom and extend lifespans indefinitely, so humanity seems invulnerable. We therefore welcomed the Olyix to Earth when they contacted us. They needed fuel for their pilgrimage across the galaxy – and in exchange they helped us advance our technology. But were the Olyix a blessing or a curse?
THE FAR FUTURE
Many lightyears from Earth, Dellian and his clan of genetically engineered soldiers are raised with one goal. They must confront and destroy their ancient adversary. The enemy caused mankind to flee across the galaxy and they hunt us still. If they aren’t stopped, we will be wiped out – and we’re running out of time.
When I’m looking for science fiction with epic scale and a plot that is guaranteed to be engrossing I find there a few more reliable than Peter F Hamilton. His latest, Salvation, is another classic that is bound to please new and old fans alike. If aliens, global conspiracies, cool technology and a suitably vast collection of characters sounds like you’re thing then look no further, your next read has arrived
The chapters involving Feriton Kayne and his colleagues reminded me of portmanteau films I’ve seen in the past. It feels like Salvation can almost be viewed as an interconnected collection of short stories. Each of the characters has their own story to tell and each of those stories help to move forward the main narrative. Each character takes a turn revealing to the others how and why they are part of the mission to the shipwreck. As they all sit around waiting to arrive at their destination, everyone is getting more and more suspicious of everyone else. Who can be trusted? And what secrets have yet to be revealed? We are in a whodunnit where we don’t know the details of the crime, never mind who perpetrated it. Don’t panic, you ultimately find out. This approach is a very effective plot device. It adds a nice extra layer of tension to proceedings
Interspersed throughout this is a second thread of the narrative that is set many years in the future. It follows a young man called Dellian and a group of his classmates as they grow into adults and prepare to take part in a war. Since the day they were born, they have been training for one purpose – destroy the enemy and save what is left of humanity. Their development and inter-relationships allow the reader to explore how the human race has changed. This works as a good counterpoint to futuristic political thriller being played out in the other chapters.
At first glance these two strands appear entirely disparate. How can Dellian’s story connect with Feriton’s? Hamilton drops a few tantalizing hints but this is only the first book in a series, so there is plenty left unsaid. This approach is likely to drive some readers a little bit bonkers, but I was left wanting more. Peter F Hamilton has always shown great skill when it comes to stories that are huge in scope, and I don’t think this book is any exception. You’ll soon realise that Salvation is just the beginning of something far larger.
When it comes to genres, Science Fiction and I have a sometimes-fractious relationship. I remember the first time I tried to read The Reality Dysfunction, also by Hamilton, I could not get past the first chapter. It’s the weirdest thing, but I tried it again a couple of years later and it just clicked. I think it is the science part of science fiction I can find a little intimidating. If a novel is science heavy, for want of a better term, my brain goes into a bit of a blind panic. Salvation does feature some quantum entanglement related jiggery pokery, and some faster than light bit and bobs, but never so much that I found it jarring or distracting from the plot. If I can deal with that level of future stuff, then I’m sure anyone else can. In fact, some of the technological marvels are very easy to understand and appreciate. Hamilton’s take on future travel is particularly well executed. I loved the idea that there is a whole Stargate-esque gate system that allows people to quickly travel anywhere in the world, and beyond. Live in Edinburgh, but commute daily to Tokyo for work. The development of these gates immediately changes the face of the entire planet. That level of detail is consistently impressive. You can tell a great deal of thought has gone into considering all the aspects of how technology shapes humanity.
When it comes to futurism, I think Peter F Hamilton is a bit of a master. He explores all manner of topics in his writing. Social injustice, gender equality, capitalism and religion all feature in Salvation in some form or another. As with his other novels there is much to digest. If you’re a Hamilton fan that it is almost a foregone conclusion that you’ll pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed. If you haven’t read his work before then Salvation may well be the place to start. It’s the ideal gateway drug. This is a news series, unconnected to any of his previous work. If you enjoy it, then the good news is that he has an extensive back catalogue which are all excellent. Nearly twenty years since its original publication* I’m still a huge fan of The Night’s Dawn trilogy.
While reading Salvation I was listening to a soundtrack called HUMANS 2.0. Sarah Warne’s neo-futuristic work has a suitably science fiction-ey vibe that perfectly fits the tone of Peter Hamilton’s latest tome.
Salvation is published by Pan MacMillan and is available now. Peter F Hamilton is to science fiction what George R R Martin is to fantasy. Highly recommended.
*Yes, I am terribly old. Thanks for noticing.
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