New Releases by Peter F. Hamilton

La Confédération est au bord de l''effondrement. Les possédés déferlent sur la galaxie, et la Terre succombe sous leurs assauts, tandis que Quinn Dexter compte y prendre le contrôle des arches l''une après l''autre, résolu à exercer une vengeance personnelle et surtout à semer le chaos et faire advenir l''aube de la Nuit. Louise Kavanagh, lancée à sa poursuite, croise sur sa route d''étranges et puissants alliés. En ces temps incertains, les unions les plus improbables ont cours, mais les compagnons de Louise ont leurs propres objectifs et leurs secrets. Joshua Calvert, à bord du Lady Macbeth, s''apprête à sauter de l''autre côté de la nébuleuse d''Orion, dans l''espoir de trouver le mythique Dieu endormi, qui aurait autrefois aidé une ancienne race extraterrestre à vaincre les possédés... « L''imagination la plus puissante de la science-fiction. » Ken Follett « Hamilton relance la SF britannique à une vitesse interstellaire. » The Times « Une oeuvre d''art, un chef-d''oeuvre peut-être. » SFReviews.com

La lutte pour reprendre le contrôle du Daedalus et faire demi-tour vers le nouveau monde promis aux humains a commencé. Les yis, des aliens cachés à bord de l''arche stellaire pour y régner derrière l''avatar mensonger de la Capitaine Électrique, envahissent l''habitat humain à la recherche de Hazel, la Fille de la Capitaine, et sa petite bande de rebelles. Après avoir repoussé un assaut sanglant des yis contre son village natal, Hazel conduit ses proches vers l''arrière de l''arche où ils espèrent trouver un refuge plus sûr. Là-bas, elle compte également sur l''aide des IA de la section de propulsion pour lui fournir l''antimatière dont elle a besoin afin de construire une arme capable d''éliminer les reines-cerveaux yis abritées dans la mer centrale. Placer un tel engin est un risque de taille et Hazel est fortement tentée de céder aux promesses de paix des yis, qui garantissent un partage équitable du nouveau monde. Mais comment peut-on se fier aux reines-cerveaux, qui depuis cinq cents ans se sont livrées à des crimes monstrueux, tout en se montrant maîtresses suprêmes de la supercherie ? « L''imagination la plus puissante de la science-fiction. » Ken Follett « Hamilton relance la SF britannique à une vitesse interstellaire. » The Times « J''attends la suite avec impatience. » SFF World

La saga la plus célèbre du grand maître du space opera ! La rupture dans le réel a ébranlé la galaxie tout entière. Sur la planète Lalonde, une porte a été ouverte vers l''au-delà, et les morts de toute l''humanité envahissent le monde pour prendre possession des corps des vivants. Édénistes comme Adamistes sont impuissants devant ces êtres invulnérables armés de pouvoirs surhumains, capables de se transformer et de guérir de leurs blessures. Autrefois considérés comme des mythes, véritables cauchemars ayant pris forme humaine, les possédés rôdent depuis des millions d''années dans l''ombre de l''histoire. Nul ne sait comment les affronter, car leur souvenir remonte à l''aube des temps, et l''antique race d''extraterrestres qui leur a autrefois donné ce nom sinistre s''est éteinte depuis bien longtemps... « L''imagination la plus puissante de la science-fiction. » Ken Follett « Hamilton relance la SF britannique à une vitesse interstellaire. » The Times

Explore EXODUS, a new sci-fi action-adventure RPG coming soon from Archetype Entertainment featured in this epic novel from legendary author Peter F. Hamilton. Forty thousand years ago, humanity fled a dying Earth. Traveling in massive arkships, these brave pioneers spread out across the galaxy to find a new home. After traveling thousands of light-years, one fleet of arkships arrived at Centauri, a dense cluster of stars with a vast array of potentially habitable planets. The survivors of Earth signaled to the remaining arkships that humanity had finally found its new home among the stars. Thousands of years later, the Centauri Cluster has flourished. The original settlers have evolved into advanced beings known as Celestials and divided themselves into powerful Dominions. One of the most influential is that of the Crown Celestials, an alliance of five great houses that controls vast areas of Centauri. As arkships continue to arrive, the remaining humans and their descendants must fight for survival against overwhelming odds or be forced into serving the Crown Dominion. Among those yearning for a better life is Finn, for whom Earth is not a memory but merely a footnote from humanity’s ancient history. Born on one of the Crown Dominion worlds, Finn has known nothing but the repressive rule of the Celestials, though he dreams of the possibility of boundless space beyond his home. When another arkship from Earth, previously thought lost, unexpectedly arrives, Finn sees his chance to embrace a greater destiny and become a Traveler—one of a group of brave heroes dedicated to ensuring humanity’s future by journeying into the vast unknown of distant space.

La spedizione esplorativa inviata dal Commonwealth Intersolare sta per giungere a destinazione: il suo obiettivo è indagare sulla misteriosa scomparsa della Coppia di Dyson, due sistemi stellari inglobati in una barriera che nessuno è in grado di spiegare. C''è chi sostiene che la barriera sia stata costruita a scopo difensivo, altri temono che qualcuno l''abbia messa lì per isolare una pericolosa minaccia. Quel che è certo è che nessuno sa che l''umanità sta per scoperchiare il vaso di Pandora

Píše se rok 3326. Nigela Sheldona, jednoho ze zakladatelů Společenství, navštíví Raielové, samozvaní strážci hranic Prázdnoty. Prázdnota, záhadná entita v jádru galaxie, ohrožuje existenci všeho živého. Raielové přesvědčí Nigela, aby se pokusil proniknout dovnitř. Nigel je nejspíš jediným z lidí, který jejich troufalý a šílený plán dokáže uskutečnit. V nitru Prázdnoty Nigel zjistí, že fyzikální zákony fungují jinak a lidé vládnou mentálními schopnostmi nerozeznatelnými od magie. A také, že lidé nejsou jedinými formami života, které Prázdnota pohltila. Zůstali uvězněni uvnitř a svadí boj s mimozemským druhem inteligentních a nemilosrdných zabijáků. Tak řečení Padlí dokážou vytvářet nanobiologické mimikry, stávají se tak nerozeznatelnými od lidí. Nemilosrdné útoky Padlých pokračují, lidské společenství ztrácí svou křehkou rovnováhu a propadá se do revoluce. Čas se krátí a Nigel musí rozluštit záhady Prázdnoty dříve, než ho zabijí právě ti lidé, které se snaží zachránit.

In Peter F. Hamilton and Gareth L. Powell''s action-packed sci-fi adventure LIGHT CHASER, a love powerful enough to transcend death can bring down an entire empire. Amahle is a Light Chaser – one of a number of explorers, who travel the universe alone (except for their onboard AI), trading trinkets for life stories. But when she listens to the stories sent down through the ages she hears the same voice talking directly to her from different times and on different worlds. She comes to understand that something terrible is happening, and only she is in a position to do anything about it. And it will cost everything to put it right. At the Publisher''s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A high-octane space opera adventure about the battle for humanity’s future. The Saints of Salvation is the extraordinary conclusion to Peter F. Hamilton’s Salvation Sequence. ‘This is outstanding sci-fi . . . It delivers on every level’ – Daily Mail Live in hiding – or die for freedom. Humanity welcomed the Olyix and their utopian technology. However, mankind was tricked, and now these visitors are extracting a terrible price. For two years, these visitors have laid siege to Earth – harvesting its people for their god. And while millions fled into space, others have continued to fight an unwinnable war. As Earth’s defeat draws near, a team attempts to infiltrate the Salvation of Life – the Olyix’s arkship. If this succeeds, the group will travel countless lightyears to the enemy’s hidden enclave. From there, they could reveal its location to allies in a future timeline. Yet in the far future, humanity is still hunted by its ancient adversary. And as forces battle in the cold reaches of space, hope seems distant indeed . . . ‘A stirring finale’ – The Guardian ‘A massive, knock-your-socks-off, bravura finish’ – Locus Magazine ‘Exceptional . . . the master of his genre’ – SFF World The Salvation Sequence Salvation Salvation Lost The Saints of Salvation

All the best in humanity rises to meet a powerful alien threat in the sequel to Salvation—part of an all-new trilogy from “the owner of the most powerful imagination in science fiction” (Ken Follett). The comparative utopia of twenty-third-century Earth is about to go dreadfully awry when a seemingly benign alien race is abruptly revealed to be one of the worst threats humanity has ever faced. Driven by an intense religious extremism, the Olyix are determined to bring everyone to their version of God as they see it. But they may have met their match in humanity, who are not about to go gently into that good night or spend the rest of their days cowering in hiding. As human ingenuity and determination rise to the challenge, collective humanity has only one goal—to wipe this apparently undefeatable enemy from the face of creation. Even if it means playing a ridiculously long game indeed. But in a chaotic universe, it is hard to plan for every eventuality, and it is always darkest before the dawn.

Jidáš zbavený pout Poslední hlídka uzavírá celou Ságu Společenství. Mark Vernon, mechanik a zručný řemeslník, má dojem, že konečně pro sebe našel správné místo v nejistém světě. Podařilo se mu získat práci v nejbezpečnějším ze světů Společenství. Zdá se, že on a jeho rodina už nejsou v nebezpečí. Mark pomáhá při stavbě hvězdných lodí, na kterých v případě katastrofy uniknou super bohatí. Jednoho dne ho Nigel Sheldon požádá o malou laskavost. Muž, který vytvořil Společenství, se neodmítá. Problém s malými laskavosti však spočívá v tom, že za ně se často platí obrovská cena ... Válka je neprobíhá příznivě pro lidskou rasu a zrádná činnost Hvězdoplavce ohrožuje samotné srdce Společenství. Pouze zničení zrádce může změnit rovnováhu sil. Paula Myo se k cíli přibližuje víc a víc, ale celá operace končí fiaskem kvůli sabotáži ve vlastích řadách. Paula musí zjistit, kdo je zrádcem lidstva.

Following Mindstar Rising and A Quantum Murder, The Nano Flower is the final book in Peter F. Hamilton''s Greg Mandel trilogy - a page-turning science-fictional detective story. Julia Evans, billionaire owner of Event Horizon, is in trouble. For fifteen years she''s been the power behind England''s economic renaissance, but this won''t help her now. Her husband is missing and rival companies claim to have acquired an incredible new technology - something impossibly superior to what has come before. So she has no time to notice a single flower, delivered anonymously. But this flower possesses genes millions of years in advance of any terrestrial DNA. Is it a cryptic alien message, or a poignant farewell token from her husband? One man could discover its origins, but Greg Mandel won''t be alone in this desperate search. And as Greg and Julia discover, being first in the race won''t be enough - when the Nano Flower starts to bloom . . .

Der Abschluss des Armageddon-Zyklus: Der Feldzug gegen die Besessenen wird zu einer furchtbaren Schlacht, wie sie die Menschheit seit sechshundert Jahren nicht mehr erlebt hat. Und Joshua Calvert und Syrinx brechen mit ihrem Raumschiff zu einer letzten Mission auf. Sie wollen den Schlafenden Gott finden, von dem die Legende kündet, er wäre der Schlüssel zum Sieg über die Besessenen ...

Invaders are coming. War seems inevitable. Can it be stopped? A Voyage Through Air is the stunning sequel to The Hunting of the Princes and the conclusion to the Queen of Dreams trilogy, from award-winning author Peter F. Hamilton. War is coming. Every leader of every realm has sided with the War Emperor and pledged to fight the Karrak invaders. That is, apart from Taggie, the teenage Queen of Dreams-to-be. Aided by an unusual band of allies, including a Karrak Lord, an elf and a feisty skyfolk captain, Taggie knows that the only way to stop the war is to find the long-lost gateway between our universe and the dark universe: the home of the Karrak people. But where do you begin to look for something that was deliberately hidden? And just how much is Taggie willing to lose in her desperate quest for peace?

Bestselling author Peter F. Hamilton returns to his acclaimed Commonwealth series in this thrilling follow-up to The Abyss Beyond Dreams. Featuring Hamilton’s trademark blend of intricate plotting, riveting suspense, high-concept science, and vivid characters, A Night Without Stars brings the story to a fully satisfying finish. After centuries trapped inside the Void, the planet Bienvenido—along with its inhabitants, both human and Faller—has been expelled into normal space. But the survivors are millions of light-years from the Commonwealth, which knows nothing of their existence. As the two races plunge into mortal conflict for sole possession of the planet, the humans seem destined to lose—despite the assistance of the mysterious Warrior Angel, who possesses forbidden Commonwealth technology. With the Fallers’ numbers growing, and their ability to mimic humans allowing them to infiltrate all levels of society, it’s only a matter of time before they surge to victory. Then, on a routine space flight, Major Ry Evine inadvertently frees a captive vessel that crash-lands on Bienvenido carrying the last, best hope for human survival: a baby. But a far from ordinary one. The child not only ages at a remarkable rate but demonstrates knowledge and abilities far beyond those of Bienvenido’s humans. Hunted by Fallers and humans alike, she is a crucial link to humanity’s lost past—and a glorious future already almost out of reach. Praise for A Night Without Stars “Roars relentlessly along in utterly mesmerizing style, with edge-of-the-seat plotting, thrilling action, and knife-edge tension that will leave readers gasping. An atomic blast of a yarn. Hamilton in peak form and absolutely not to be missed.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “[An] interstellar adventure with espionage, old-style space exploration, and the story of a fugitive who carries the hope of salvation.”—Publishers Weekly “An action-packed page-turner . . . It’s a joy to witness such a master of science fiction at work.”—SFFWorld Praise for Peter F. Hamilton’s The Abyss Beyond Dreams “Incredibly robust and exciting and rousing, sharing flavors of Jack Vance, John Wright, China Miéville, Orson Scott Card, and A. E. van Vogt . . . Hamilton’s deployment of lots of grand super-science is utterly deft and convincing.”—Locus “Engrossing . . . The characters, always Hamilton’s strength, remain as distinctive as ever.”—Kirkus Reviews “Everything one wants in sf—great characters, mind bending stuff, adventure, politics, romance, revolution . . . just superb.”—Fantasy Book Critic “The work of an author at the top of his game.”—SFFWorld

Following the astonishing The Abyss Beyond Dreams, Night Without Stars is the epic second and final part to Peter F. Hamilton''s Chronicle of the Fallers.The planet Bienvenido is in crisis. It has finally escaped the Void, emerging into regular space. But it''s millions of light-years from Commonwealth assistance, and humans are battling the Fallers for control of their world. This rapacious adversary, evolved to destroy all sentient life, has infiltrated every level of human society - hijacking unwilling bodies so its citizens fear their leaders, friends and family.A mysterious figure known as the Warrior Angel leads a desperate resistance. She''s helped by forbidden Commonwealth technology, which gives her a crucial edge. But the government obstructs the Angel''s efforts at every turn, blinded by prejudice and technophobia. As Fallers also prepare to attack from the skies, she might need to incite rebellion to fight this invasion. But the odds seem impossible.Then astronaut Ry Evine uncovers one last hope. On a mission against the enemy, his spacecraft damages an unidentified vessel. This crash-lands on the planet carrying unexpected cargo: a baby. This extraordinary Commonwealth child possesses knowledge that could save them all. But if the Fallers catch her, the people of Bienvenido will not survive.

The tale that began in The Secret Throne continues in The Hunting of the Princes, a fantastical, illustrated adventure from award-winning author Peter F. Hamilton. Taggie has had a busy year. From finding out she''s the queen-to-be of a magical realm and learning to use magic . . . to discovering that someone wants her dead! Assassins have been targeting royal heirs throughout the magical realms, and everyone thinks the Karrak invaders are responsible. War seems inevitable – yet Taggie has just found out two very interesting facts. Firstly, that the Karraks come from a completely different universe. And secondly, that there was once a gate to this universe – now lost in the mists of time. If Taggie and her friends can find the gate, perhaps they can also stop the war? But to do so they need to find a Karrak who will take their side . . . Continue the adventure with A Voyage Through Air.

Pour sauver leur civilisation, il doit la détruire... Alarmé par la menace représentée par le Vide au centre de notre galaxie, Nigel Sheldon, créateur de la société du Commonwealth, part en expédition vers cette mystérieuse région de l’espace. Or, en atterrissant sur la planète Bienvenido au sein du Vide, Nigel va découvrir bien plus que ce qu’il venait chercher. Un monde peuplé des descendants des survivants de vaisseaux colons ayant quitté le Commonwealth des siècles plus tôt y affronte un terrible ennemi : les « Fallers », des prédateurs spatiaux artificiellement modifiés qui utilisent la télépathie et la métamorphose pour appâter leurs victimes. Très vite, cependant, Nigel fait une autre découverte : ces créatures pourraient bien détenir la clé de la destruction du Vide lui-même. Il existe donc une chance de salut... si Nigel vit assez longtemps pour accomplir sa mission. « Hamilton relance la SF britannique à une vitesse interstellaire. » The Times

Bestselling science fiction master Peter F. Hamilton delivers the first of a two-book saga set in his popular Commonwealth universe. Distinguished by deft plotting, a teeming cast of characters, dazzling scientific speculation, and imagination that brings the truly alien to life, The Abyss Beyond Dreams reveals Hamilton as a storyteller of astonishing ingenuity and power. The year is 3326. Nigel Sheldon, one of the founders of the Commonwealth, receives a visit from the Raiel—self-appointed guardians of the Void, the enigmatic construct at the core of the galaxy that threatens the existence of all that lives. The Raiel convince Nigel to participate in a desperate scheme to infiltrate the Void. Once inside, Nigel discovers that humans are not the only life-forms to have been sucked into the Void, where the laws of physics are subtly different and mental powers indistinguishable from magic are commonplace. The humans trapped there are afflicted by an alien species of biological mimics—the Fallers—that are intelligent but merciless killers. Yet these same aliens may hold the key to destroying the threat of the Void forever—if Nigel can uncover their secrets. As the Fallers’ relentless attacks continue, and the fragile human society splinters into civil war, Nigel must uncover the secrets of the Fallers—before he is killed by the very people he has come to save. Praise for The Abyss Beyond Dreams “The work of an author at the top of his game.”—Science Fiction and Fantasy World “Incredibly robust and exciting and rousing, sharing flavors of Jack Vance, John Wright, China Miéville, Orson Scott Card, and A. E. van Vogt . . . Hamilton’s deployment of lots of grand super-science is utterly deft and convincing.”—Locus “Solidy engrossing fare . . . The characters, always Hamilton’s strength, remain as distinctive as ever.”—Kirkus Reviews “Everything one wants in sf—great characters, mind bending stuff, adventure, politics, romance, revolution . . . just superb.”—Fantasy Book Critic “Hamilton does a particular kind of planetary politics and space opera very well, and this is a perfect example of it. . . . [The Abyss Beyond Dreams is] a satisfying and well-oiled story, with potential for more epic adventure to come.”—Booklist

Earning comparisons to such sci-fi/fantasy greats as Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, and George R. R. Martin, Peter F. Hamilton is a one-of-a-kind voice in space opera. His interstellar adventures are hugely ambitious, wildly entertaining, and philosophically stimulating. Now Hamilton’s centuries-spanning Commonwealth Saga—the linked novels Pandora’s Star and Judas Unchained—is available in one epic eBook bundle. Contains a thrilling preview of Peter F. Hamilton’s upcoming novel, The Abyss Beyond Dreams, set in the same universe as the Commonwealth Saga. PANDORA’S STAR JUDAS UNCHAINED 2380. The Intersolar Commonwealth, a sphere of stars, contains more than six hundred worlds interconnected by a web of transport “tunnels” known as wormholes. At the farthest edge of the Commonwealth, astronomer Dudley Bose observes the impossible: over one thousand light-years away, a star . . . disappears. Since the location is too distant to reach by wormhole, the Second Chance, a faster-than-light starship commanded by Wilson Kime, a five-times-rejuvenated ex-NASA pilot, is dispatched to learn what has occurred and whether it represents a threat. Opposed to the mission are the Guardians of Selfhood. Shortly after the journey begins, Kime wonders if the crew of the Second Chance has been infiltrated. But soon enough he will have other worries. Halfway across the galaxy, something truly incredible is waiting: a deadly discovery whose unleashing will threaten to destroy the Commonwealth . . . and humanity itself. Praise for the Commonwealth Saga Pandora’s Star “Should be high on everyone’s reading list . . . You won’t be able to put it down.”—Nancy Pearl, NPR “An imaginative and stunning tale of the perfect future threatened . . . a book of epic proportions not unlike Frank Herbert’s Dune or Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy.”—SFRevu “Recommended . . . A large cast of characters, each with his own story, brings depth and variety to this far-future saga.”—Library Journal Judas Unchained “An interstellar suspense thriller . . . sweeping in scope and emotional range.”—San Antonio Express-News “Hamilton tackles SF the way George R. R. Martin is tackling fantasy. . . . There’s a sense of wonder here that’s truly unchained.”—SF Reviews “Richly satisfying . . . wonderfully imagined . . . Hamilton adroitly leaps from the struggles of one engaging, quirky character to another.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FORâe¦ Jeff Baker is a legend. Heâe(tm)s an internationally-renowned inventor and philanthropist extraordinaire, and at seventy-eight heâe(tm)s given the world much of his genius. So in 2040, when Europe can finally rejuvenate a human being after decades of research, Baker becomes first choice for the gift of youth. And after eighteen months in a German medical facility, Jeff returns home looking no more than twenty. The successful rejuvenation feels like a miracle âe" until the glow starts to fade. Jeffâe(tm)s relationship with his ex-model wife changes drastically. He also sees his son Tim, and Timâe(tm)s gorgeous girlfriend, in a whole new light. As his pensioner friends start to resent what Jeff has become, he becomes increasingly aware that the world is watching. For great gifts come at a price and he will be expected to contribute yet more brilliant research to justify his place in the history books. âe~Peter F. Hamilton peoples his story with strong characters âe¦ clever and sharply observantâe(tm) SFSite.com, âe~Tim is so incredible real âe¦ Highly recommendedâe(tm) SFBook.com, âe~The world created by Peter is once again full of ideasâe(tm) TheUnisphere.com

Futuristic speculation combines with murder when a scientific expedition on a faraway planet searches for an alien species only to be stalked by a determined killer who may be a hostile alien or a member of their own team.

Nel Vuoto, l''anomalia situata al centro della galassia e che consiste di un indistruttibile "microuniverso" affamato di energia, devono migrare interi popoli, gli abitanti di molti pianeti. Per assaporare il paradiso, dice qualcuno; per nutrirlo di materia, rispondono altri. Il Secondo Sognatore, Araminta, deve ora decidere se ostacolare o facilitare quel Pellegrinaggio, mentre Inigo sta per liberare l''ultimo e pericoloso Sogno di Edeard, il messia che cammina sull''acqua. Penetrare il Vuoto è dunque il destino? Forse si tratta più che altro di una necessità...

Peter F. Hamilton’s groundbreaking Mandel Files series concludes with The Nano Flower, a tour de force of unbridled imagination and cutting-edge scientific speculation. Greg Mandel is a psychic detective whose skills have been augmented by powerful but dangerous biotechnology. Those abilities have won him success and almost killed him many times over. Little wonder that he has settled down to the life of a gentleman farmer. But Greg’s former employer, the mighty tech company Event Horizon, needs him once more. After Royan, hacker-genius and husband to company owner Julia Evans, mysteriously vanishes, a business rival suddenly boasts an incredible new technology. Has Royan been kidnapped and forced to work for his captors, or is the truth far stranger? The answer may lie in a gift of flowers received by Julia—flowers with DNA like nothing on Earth. Greg already has his hands full with corporate killers and other unsavory characters. Is he going to have to add aliens to the list? The Greg Mandel trilogy—which also includes Mindstar Rising and A Quantum Murder, available in Volume 1—set a new standard for science fiction when it first appeared in the 1990s. The Nano Flower is every bit as gripping today—and even more timely.

A major collection of short fiction from Peter F. Hamilton, New York Times bestselling author of Pandora’s Star, The Dreaming Void, and many other epic science fiction novels—including a brand-new novella starring detective Paula Myo Fans of the Commonwealth Saga will enjoy the return of Paula Myo, the genetically engineered police investigator whose single-minded pursuit of justice runs up against a postwar citizenry eager to forget old crimes. In the all-new novella “Manhattan in Reverse,” Paula is dispatched to the backwoods planet of Menard after a docile, supposedly nonintelligent alien species attacks peaceful human settlers. Menard may have to be evacuated—something the planet’s corporate owners and human populace are prepared to resist . . . perhaps with targeted aggression. Violence hits closer to home in “The Demon Trap” in which Paula’s investigation of a gruesome act of terrorism leads into unexpected political, technological, and philosophical waters, threatening the course of human evolution. Time travel has never been so tricky—or so deadly—as it is in “If at First . . .,” in which Metropolitan Police detective David Lanson finds himself matching wits with a sociopath who might very well be from the future . . . or, at least, a future. “Blessed by an Angel” is set in the Commonwealth Universe of the Void trilogy and features an alien visitor who offers the local human population a chance at paradise. But one species’ paradise may be another’s hell. Three other thrilling pieces round out the collection—and showcase Peter F. Hamilton’s ability to weave scientific speculation into very human storytelling.

Julia Evans, milliardaire et directrice de la compagnie Event Horizon, fer de lance de la conquête spatiale, est dans le pétrin. Avec son mari disparu et des concurrents qui affirment avoir acquis une technologie révolutionnaire, Julia remarque à peine la livraison anonyme d''une fleur. Celle-ci possède pourtant dies gènes de millions d''années en avance sur l''ADN terrestre. Un homme serait capable d''élucider ce mystère : Greg Mandel. Mais au cours de son enquête, les morts s''accumulent. L''avenir de l''humanité est en train de se jouer sur cette fleur qui commence à éclore...

Exposed as the Second Dreamer, Araminta has become the target of a galaxywide search by others equally determined to prevent—or facilitate—the pilgrimage into the Void. An indestructible microuniverse, the Void may contain paradise, but it is also a deadly threat. For the reality that exists inside its boundaries demands energy drawn from planets, stars, galaxies—from everything that lives. Meanwhile, the story of Edeard, the Waterwalker, continues to unfold. With time running out, Inigo, the First Dreamer, must decide whether to release Edeard’s dangerous final dream. And Araminta must choose whether to run from her responsibilities or face them down, with no guarantee of success or survival. But all these choices may be for naught if the leader of a rival faction enters the Void. For it is not paradise she seeks there, but dominion.

Taken from Peter F. Hamilton''s short story collection Manhattan in Reverse, Footvote is a thrilling short story featuring Paulo Myo of the Commonwealth Saga. It''s our world, present day – the UK is going to rack and ruin. There are strikes, the power facilities don''t have enough technicians to continue running them, oppression and a terminal malaise afflicts the country and there seems no respite from the economic catastrophe. Then Bradley Ethan Murray opens a wormhole, a passage through to a new world and, potentially, a new world order. New Suffolk is available for all ''decent people'' from the UK to start a new life – free from the troubles they will leave behind them. But is a new world really the way to help alleviate the problems of Earth? This short story is taken from Manhattan in Reverse, the first short story collection in thirteen years from the master of space opera. The cover image for Footvote was designed by Ioan Dumitrescu as part of a competition run by Pan Macmillan in association with SFX magazine.