Posts Tagged ‘reality dysfunction’

Temporal Void… Where does it go from here?

by j.tan
November 7th, 2008

Ok, so now I have read Temporal Void.

Actually, I read it a fair few days ago as a way to procrastinate. The problem with reading a book like that to procrastinate, is that that “10 minutes - just a few pages” tends to turn into “10 hours - one book later…”. How time flies when you’re stuck in the temporal void! hahahaha… (Sorry, I couldn’t resist…)

It was good. I loved it. It was a lot more focused on Edeard and his events in the Void, but to a certain degree, that was an expected move on Hamilton’s part. Afterall, it *is* the second book in the trilogy, so you would expect it to set things up for the grand finale. Yes, it was a stronger second book than Neutronium Alchemist. Tighter told, the meanderings were less aimless. Yes, I know it’s a bit strange a thing to say since we can’t tell how useful the events of the second book were until we’ve read the 3rd… But you also get a sense that there is a point and a reason to everything. :D

The raw strength and power of the Waterwalker is really brought to reality in this book. There are moments where it seems like the whole deus ex machina resolution he had in The Naked God might make a reappearance, but then the costs of Edeard’s reality bending is shown, and you wonder if it is right and worth it.

The problem with trying to comment on a book is always “how much to give away”… Paula’s still running around playing (super) detective, Ozzie’s still out there trying to find the Second Dreamer, Kazimir’s going crazy trying to prevent the aliens - who understandably blame the humans for the devourament phase - from attacking the humans - who themselves are trying to blow each other up in an effort to enter the Void. Troblum is unbelievably still alive and running free. And the Second Dreamer is off in her own little world… ;)

If you liked the first book, this 2nd part of the trilogy continues to deliver the amazing depth and breadth of epic sci-fi that you’d expect from Hamilton. ie: go read it.