Publisher: Orbit; 8 Oct 2008
ISBN 10: 0316021806
ISBN 13: 978-0316021807
Series: Book 1 of the Night's Dawn Trilogy
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer/: Tyson
Back of the book: "Space is not the only void...
In AD 2600 the human race is finally beginning to realize its full potential. Hundreds of colonized planets scattered across the galaxy host a multitude of prosperous and wildly diverse cultures. Genetic engineering has pushed evolution far beyond nature's boundaries, defeating disease and producing extraordinary spaceborn creatures. Huge fleets of sentient trader starships thrive on the wealth created by the industrialization of entire star systems. And throughout inhabited space the Confederation Navy keeps the peace. A true golden age is within our grasp.
But now something has gone catastrophically wrong. On a primitive colony planet a renegade criminal's chance encounter with an utterly alien entity unleashes the most primal of all our fears. An extinct race which inhabited the galaxy aeons ago called it "The Reality Dysfunction." It is the nightmare which has prowled beside us since the beginning of history.
THE REALITY DYSFUNCTION is a modern classic of science fiction, an extraordinary feat of storytelling on a truly epic scale."
I have been pondering just how I was going to write this review, the book is massive and is only the opening shot in the trilogy. A lot of characters are introduced and ideas brought into play. With that in mind I am not even sure that I can give this a fair review but I will do what I can.
The Reality Dysfunction takes place in several galaxies and planets. Nearly every niche in human society has their own personal planet. There is also two ways that humans have branched off, the Edenists and the Adamists. Edenists have used gene technology which has given them the ability to communicate telepathically (human and other creatures) and over generations of breeding several other abilities. The Edenists are more technological using Bitek or Biological technology to enhance their lively hood. The Adamists have a much better life overall but both do quite well in the future. Aside from the differences in human ideology, each planet is different from the others. There are a few planets that come to the forefront in this novel, one is the main planet, named Tranquility, for commerce as well as a center for one strand of humanity. There is also a planet, Lalonde, where things start to unravel and has a wild west, make it on your own and by the sweat of your brow feel to it. I found it funny, although I doubt Hamilton intended it to be that way, but Canada received its own planet. But with the two ideologies and the various planets representing nationalities and different ways of life, leads the book into many different planets and ecologies which is interesting. There are a few other species that are included in Hamilton's universe and they play a big role in the opening novel to the trilogy but, I have to keep some things close to my chest for fear of divulging too much plot. I will say that they are not what you expect and they are unique.
Since The Reality Dysfunction spans the universe and is a space opera in the grandest sense, there are a myriad of characters to keep track of. There is Joshua Calvert, who is your typical rogue. He loves women and they in turn love him. Syrinx a former Navy Captain turned privateer with a bone to pick with Calvert. She also has a Voidhawk, a living interstellar space ship that is bonded to her. Quinn Dexter, a former gang member on forced to work on Lalonde as punishment for his crimes on Earth. He is also a practicing satanist, which brings all kinds of chaos along with it. I could go on and on about the other characters in the book but the list if very long and each one has a very detailed history and motivations.
Aside from Hamilton's impressive planets and characters there is also a political angle in the novel which has several different factions and reasons for existence. There is a lot to take in in this first installment and in all honesty I was lost (and a tad bit bored) with the first 300 pages as there is some action;however, mainly it serves to set up the stage for the rest of the novel. The reason I was lost is there is very little information that you get to help you keep the people straight and their motivations and factions apart. I just ended up plugging away at it until I finally formed a clearer picture in my head and was able to see who was who.
The Reality Dysfunction is an ambitious space opera and I found it entertaining at times, at other times I was either playing catch up or bored to death waiting for the build up to finally come to its close or at least prepare me for what was the bigger picture. The Reality Dysfunction is also very large. As I have not finished the series (and seriously debating whether I want to simply because of their size) I am not sure if there could have been some major editing as a lot of the book feels slightly padded. Again, I have not read the sequels so, I don't know how or if some of it plays a part in the later acts. However, if you do love space operas, I would have to say this one needs to be on your list. It has some great characters, a enormous universe with some great technology, and the idea/plot was an unexpected delight.
Plot 9
Characters 9
Style 7
Overall 8/10
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