Pandora's Star

I do believe “epic” is the right word for this doorstopper of a book. A mix of subplots braid together to build the overall story of an expansive human Commonwealth endangered by an enigmatic alien presence. Hamilton gives us some truly interesting characters and paints an intriguing future society.The story includes, IMHO, some of the most interesting aliens since Vinge's [b:A Fire Upon the Deep 77711 A Fire Upon the Deep (Zones of Thought, #1) Vernor Vinge https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1333915005l/77711.SY75.jpg 1253374].Mr. Hamilton does tend to go a bit overboard on details. (I suppose that is one reason why his books are so long.)Unfortunately this book ends on a cliffhanger (with some of the characters literally hanging in the air and with numerous threads unresolved). Now I must get on to the next tome ([b:Judas Unchained 45244 Judas Unchained (Commonwealth Saga, #2) Peter F. Hamilton https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1316501189l/45244.SY75.jpg 44507]) to find out what happens.4.5 stars rounded down because of the ending.