Judas Unchained

By: Peter F. Hamilton

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 40 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Peter F. Hamilton's superbly imagined, cunningly plotted interstellar adventures are conceived on a staggeringly epic scale and filled with fully realized human and alien characters as complex as they are engaging. No mere world builder, Hamilton creates entire universes - and he does so with irresistible flair and intelligence.

His previous novel, the acclaimed Pandora's Star, introduced the Intersolar Commonwealth, a star-spanning civilization of the 24th century. Robust, peaceful, and confident, the Commonwealth dispatched a ship to investigate the mystery of a disappearing star, only to inadvertently unleash a predatory alien species that turned on its liberators, striking hard, fast, and utterly without mercy.

Coexistence is impossible with the technologically advanced aliens, who are genetically hardwired to exterminate all other forms of life. Twenty-three planets have already fallen to the invaders, with casualties in the hundreds of millions. And no one knows when or where the genocidal Prime will strike next.

Nor are the Prime the only threat. For more than 100 years, a shadowy cult, the Guardians of Selfhood, has warned that an alien with mind-control abilities impossible to detect or resist - the Starflyer - has secretly infiltrated the Commonwealth. Branded as terrorists, the Guardians and their leader, Bradley Johansson, have been hunted by relentless investigator Paula Myo. But now evidence suggests that the Guardians were right all along and that the Starflyer has placed agents in vital posts throughout the Commonwealth - agents who are now sabotaging the war effort. Is the Starflyer an ally of the Prime, or has it orchestrated a fight to the death between the two species for its own advantage?

Caught between two deadly enemies, one a brutal invader striking from without, the other a remorseless cancer killing from within, the fractious Commonwealth must unite as never before. This will be humanity's finest hour - or its last gasp.

©2006 Peter F. Hamilton (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"For flat-out huge widescreen all-engines-at-full I-dare-you-not-to-believe-it space opera, there is no one quite like Peter F. Hamilton." (Richard K. Morgan, author of Market Forces)
"Richly satisfying.... In more ways than one, this...work is monumental." ( Publishers Weekly)

Best sci fi since Dune series

Absolutely the best sci fi author since Frank Herbert. I can't say enough good things. I did almost fall off my treadmill during one of the goofy sex scenes I was laughing so hard. So I wouldn't let my kids listen to it, but I loved the book as a whole! Huge universe, immense cast, great dialogue, political intrigue, mysterious events. Amazing stuff. I'll be sad when I run out of Hamilton books.

Better than the first one

Extremely epic space opera here, very reminiscent of E.E. Doc Smith, but with more humor and sex. Titanic space battles, species ascending to godhood, space marines, alien menaces, and all your favorite stuff! Contrary to many people's opinion, this one is better than the first volume in the 2-book sequence. Still, the ending is a bit rushed and contrived...welcome to the world of Peter F. Hamilton.

A fantastic listen

Well worth the 40 hours it takes to listen through this novel. You must listen to Pandora's Star first as this one is the sequel. I don't find myself wishing this book would end already...

Loved it. Overall the story is great

Loved the way characters are developed and connected. Will look for more stories. One of the best of the long books

Good enough to re-listen to repeatably.

A great story, consistent and engrossing. Very original. I look forward to revisiting this universe.

A very good conclusion to Pandora's Star.

If you haven't read Pandora's Star, do so! It's an excellent story, with many interesting plot lines and memorable characters. Judas continues with some exciting conclusions to side plots and story lines. The big reveal wasn't really a surprise for me, (and slightly less dramatic that my own predictions) so the WOW factor wasn't as huge as I expected considering the high calibre of plot development, but perhaps would be for another listener. Still a great series I recommend highly!

the best of the best

Loved it. cloud dancer, orion, toechi, bradley... it's a party from beginning to end. best of.

Great long story.

Very entertaining. Excellent story lines. Very creative universe created by the author. Fun book to listen to while r out for long bike rides.

Better than Pandora’s Star

The characters actually change in Judas Unchained. Especially Melanie. Otherwise, it’s a typical Peter Hamilton book, as much soap opera as space opera.

Narration is better for Judas....

In roughly the same league as Hyperion (well almost)! Fantastic space opera. Interesting characters and concepts. Narration he is much irritating and drop outs less frequent. Give it a whirl. You will not be disappointed.