The sequel to The Dreaming Void continues Hamilton’s epic narrative chronicling humankind’s potentially self-destructive search for existential and spiritual fulfillment inside an ever-expanding black hole at the galactic core. The book – and the series – is very interesting in the sense that it mixes science fiction and fantasy. There are two intersecting universes in this book – the Commonwealth 
As before, several complex plot lines are weaved together seamlessly. The driver behind all the action is the mass pilgrimage planned by the religious movement Living Dream into the “black hole”-like Void. Some view it as the road to eternal bliss, some view it as a move that will increase the Void’s expansion and bring the end of the galaxy.
The actors are many and they have very different and conflicting outlooks and motivations. The key players are the Living Dream, Inigo (the First Dreamer), the Second Dreamer Araminta, the Skylords, Edeard “The Waterwalker”, the government ANA (Advanced Neural Activity system), the Commonwealth military, the Burnelli family, the various Commonwealth factions, the Ocien Empire, the Primes, several key agents of the factions, and many more.
The richness of The Temporal Void is unbelievable. And, to top it off, several intriguing threads from the Starflyer War (see Pandora’s Star and Judas Unchained) keep popping as well. We follow struggles for power, political maneuvering, religious ambitions, and military conflicts as well as passion, love, betrayal, trust, and conflicts at personal levels in fascinating technological and physical settings. The Commonwealth is in turmoil and threatened.
The tale of Edeard, whom we met in The Dreaming Void as an egg shaper from Ashwell, who has moved to the crystal city of Makkathran and now seeks to eliminate the city’s criminal gangs, is prominent in this volume. Edeard utilizes incredible telekinetic and telepathic powers, far beyond those of the average Makkathran citizen, and shakes up the city’s political system while learning some hard lessons along the way. And he engages in several romantic adventures as well.
Another character much in focus is Paula Myo. She is out of retirement to find the second dreamer to protect her from being controlled by any of the factions. And finds that she once again is up against the frightening The Cat, a devious, totally ruthless and evil female with impressive skills.
The Temporal Void is an extremely fascinating read. I liked the complex motivations, uncertainties and contradictions that Hamilton’s characters possess a lot. This second book of the trilogy is a thick brick of a book, but as the pages fly by it still feels much too short. Peter F. Hamilton really knows how to tell a tale. I eagerly await the third volume!
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