Bestselling science fiction master Peter F. Hamilton delivers the first of a two-book saga set in his popular Commonwealth universe. Distinguished by deft plotting, a teeming cast of characters, dazzling scientific speculation, and imagination that brings the truly alien to life, The Abyss Beyond Dreams reveals Hamilton as a storyteller of astonishing ingenuity and power.   The year is 3326. Nigel Sheldon, one of the founders of the Commonwealth, receives a visit from the Raiel—self-appointed guardians of the Void, the enigmatic construct at the core of the galaxy that threatens the existence of all that lives. The Raiel convince Nigel to participate in a desperate scheme to infiltrate the Void.   Once inside, Nigel discovers that humans are not the only life-forms to have been sucked into the Void, where the laws of physics are subtly different and mental powers indistinguishable from magic are commonplace. The humans trapped there are afflicted by an alien species of biological mimics—the Fallers—that are intelligent but merciless killers.   Yet these same aliens may hold the key to destroying the threat of the Void forever—if Nigel can uncover their secrets. As the Fallers’ relentless attacks continue, and the fragile human society splinters into civil war, Nigel must uncover the secrets of the Fallers—before he is killed by the very people he has come to save. Praise for The Abyss Beyond Dreams   “The work of an author at the top of his game.” — Science Fiction and Fantasy World   “Incredibly robust and exciting and rousing, sharing flavors of Jack Vance, John Wright, China Miéville, Orson Scott Card, and A. E. van Vogt . . . Hamilton’s deployment of lots of grand super-science is utterly deft and convincing.” — Locus   “Solidy engrossing fare . . . The characters, always Hamilton’s strength, remain as distinctive as ever.” —Kirkus Reviews   “Everything one wants in sf—great characters, mind bending stuff, adventure, politics, romance, revolution . . . just superb.” — Fantasy Book Critic “Hamilton does a particular kind of planetary politics and space opera very well, and this is a perfect example of it. . . . [ The Abyss Beyond Dreams is] a satisfying and well-oiled story, with potential for more epic adventure to come.” — Booklist “The work of an author at the top of his game.” — Science Fiction and Fantasy World   “Incredibly robust and exciting and rousing, sharing flavors of Jack Vance, John Wright, China Miéville, Orson Scott Card, and A. E. van Vogt . . . [Peter F.] Hamilton’s deployment of lots of grand super-science is utterly deft and convincing.” — Locus   “Solidy engrossing fare . . . The characters, always Hamilton’s strength, remain as distinctive as ever.” —Kirkus Reviews   “Everything one wants in sf—great characters, mind bending stuff, adventure, politics, romance, revolution . . . just superb.” — Fantasy Book Critic “Hamilton does a particular kind of planetary politics and space opera very well, and this is a perfect example of it. . . . [ The Abyss Beyond Dreams is] a satisfying and well-oiled story, with potential for more epic adventure to come.” — Booklist   “Hugely enjoyable . . . Hamilton is so good at handling big plots, at maintaining forward momentum even as he throws in an unexpected twist—and there’s at least one doozy of a didn’t-see-that-coming moment here.” — SFX Peter F. Hamilton is the author of numerous novels, including Great North Road, The Evolutionary Void, The Temporal Void, The Dreaming Void, Judas Unchained, Pandora’s Star, Misspent Youth, Fallen Dragon, and the acclaimed epic Night’s Dawn trilogy ( The Reality Dysfunction, The Neutronium Alchemist, and The Naked God ). He lives with his family in England. Chapter 1 Laura Brandt knew all about coming out of a suspension chamber. It was similar to finishing the old--style rejuvenation procedure she’d undergone back in the day, before biononic inserts and Advancer genes being sequenced into human DNA and practically eradicating the aging process. There would be that slow comfortable rise to consciousness, the body warming at a steady rate, nutrient feeds and narcotic buffering taking the edge off any lingering discomfort and disorientation. So by the time you were properly awake and ready to open your eyes it was like emerging from a really decent night’s sleep, ready to face the day with enthusiasm and anticipation. A full breakfast with pancakes, some crisp bacon, maple syrup, and chilled orange juice (no ice, thanks) would add that extra little touch of panache to make returning to full awareness a welcome experience. And when it happened this time, there she would be at the end of a voyage to a star cluster outside the Milky Way, ready to begin a fresh life with others from the Brandt Dynasty, founding a whole new civilization—-one that was going to be so very different from the jaded old Commonwealth they’d left behind. Then there was the emergency ext