Salvation by Peter F. Hamilton
The Salvation Sequence Vol 1. Macmillan, 2018. ISBN
9781447281320
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Recommended for mature Sci-fi
lovers. Themes: Science Fiction. Space travel. Future survival.
Technology. Aliens. Genetic modification. Peter F. Hamilton is a
master of the Sci-Fi genre and this volume introducing The
Salvation Sequence is brimming full of the complexities of
Science's answers to the world's problems into the future. The
existence of the human population into the 23rd century is subject
to a multitude of scientific, biological and technological
enhancements, some of which have alien origins. The socio-politico
complications of life lead to the need for powerful cyber-security
and espionage personnel with amazing skills. This book covers
multiple generations of amazing people who are involved in intrigue,
crime fighting and overcoming the threats to life. Each individual
has a different story to tell and an interesting history, and the
weaving of their threads together is skilfully artistic, and the
book reads more like a spy thriller and murder mystery than a Sci-fi
story. Hamilton does not ignore the ideological and philosophical
discussions related to genetic manipulation, technological
advancements that extend life, dealing with waste and energy
production, and even the notion of religious expression. These are
all motifs that make this a powerful exploration of the future while
being a compelling narrative with alien participants too. The jumps
in time and physical space through portals allowing interspatial
travel are also exciting and the Sci-fi equivalent of travel in the
Harry Potter magical world but with sophisticated adult participants
who deal with real scientific issues rather than magical ones. The
investigation of an extremely violent murder scene and its
connection to other problems in the extended universe/world is also
very complex. The book leaves the reader with the promise of more to
come!
I am not a passionate Sci-fi lover, so found this book initially
difficult to connect with and hard work to read, but could not
refute the powerful story-telling, the detailed writing skills and
the masterful capacity of the author to explain the scientific
principles upon which the future world was based. The altered
normalities of life beyond 2200 were incredibly complex and only
those with a good scientific interest would be enthused by the
changed foundations of life. The audacious activities of the central
characters were movie-worthy and like a Sci-Fi 'James Bond-style'
adventure with undercover participants, risky investigations,
murders and romances carried out in extreme secrecy and with awesome
technological and cyber assistance. A hint of spy-vs-spy action adds
another layer of complexity.
Recommended for mature Sci-fi lovers. Not for the faint-hearted as
it contains violence and mature themes.
Carolyn Hull