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Peter F. Hamilton
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A Second Chance at Eden Kindle Edition

by Peter F. Hamilton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 516 ratings
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Acclaimed bestseller Peter Hamilton has taken the science fiction world by storm with his stunning, grand-scale epic: The Reality Dysfunction, The Neutronium Alchemist, and The Naked God.

Now, with a collection of richly detailed original stories and short novels never before published in the U.S., Peter Hamilton spans more than five centuries in the future history of bitek, affinity genes, Edenists, Adamists, xenocs, the Saldanas, and the starship Lady Macbeth. This outstanding anthology includes "Escape Route"-chosen for Gardner Dozois's prestigious collection The Year's Best Science Fiction.
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  1. Print length
    435 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Aspect
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2000
  5. File size
    1.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is a superb collection of stories from Peter Hamilton, set in the same universe as his excellent, bestselling epics Reality Dysfunction (Emergence and Expansion) and The Neutronium Alchemist (Consolidation and Conflict). It's hard to pick favorites here, because every one of the stories is superbly plotted, exciting, and full of fresh ideas. The novella "A Second Chance at Eden" is a classic detective story with unpredictable twists and turns. "Escape Route," which also appeared in The Year's Best Science Fiction, marks the reappearance of the starship Lady Macbeth and her crew, who must figure out a xenoc relic before they run afoul of some heavies. Hamilton favorites like bitek, affinity genes, xenocs, and Edenists are threaded throughout the collection, weaving detail into the epic tapestry of his universe. A Second Chance at Eden is perfect for Hamilton aficionados and novices alike. --Therese Littleton

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000Q9INQ8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aspect (November 1, 2000)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2000
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 435 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 516 ratings

About the author

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Peter F. Hamilton

Peter F. Hamilton

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Peter F. Hamilton is the author of numerous novels, including The Abyss Beyond Dreams, 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.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
516 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's stories engaging, with one noting they're anything but predictable. Moreover, the writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer highlighting how the author tells stories from different perspectives. Additionally, they appreciate the storyline, with one customer describing it as a collection of Confederation Universe stories that provide great insight into the universe.

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18 customers mention "Story quality"15 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the stories in the book, with one customer noting they are anything but predictable, and another highlighting how it serves as an essential introduction to the Night's Dawn universe.

"...In any event, that didn't take away from the great writing and fantastic story telling. A must for any Peter F Hamilton fan." Read more

"Just what the Night's Dawn trilogy needed: A set of short stories in chronological order that lay out the future history of his universe up until..." Read more

"...There is also a VERY valuable and fascinating story of Edenism which paints its esteemed leader in a much different light than most would think..." Read more

"...Worth it for the titular story alone!!!" Read more

13 customers mention "Reading quality"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be an excellent read, with one customer noting it's a necessary read for Hamilton fans.

"...In any event, that didn't take away from the great writing and fantastic story telling. A must for any Peter F Hamilton fan." Read more

"...But even still, this collection is perfect enough for what it is: a collection of Confederation Universe stories that help fill in the gaps and..." Read more

"I really enjoyed the light easy reading provided in this Sci-Fi collection of short stories...." Read more

"All of Peter's books are great as this one is." Read more

10 customers mention "Storyline"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, with one review highlighting how it weaves together intrigue and adventure elements, while another notes it provides great insight into the Confederation Universe.

"...It's interesting that while the backdrop is sci fi, these stories aren't just about science fiction...." Read more

"...And don't worry: the major thread of Night's Dawn is a completely new storyline so this volume will ruin nothing...." Read more

"...There is also a VERY valuable and fascinating story of Edenism which paints its esteemed leader in a much different light than most would think..." Read more

"...this collection is perfect enough for what it is: a collection of Confederation Universe stories that help fill in the gaps and expand the..." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing style"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, with one customer noting that it tells short stories from different perspectives.

"...interesting that while the backdrop is sci fi, these stories aren't just about science fiction...." Read more

"...Hamilton is a brillant, versatile, sexy writer who knows how to control information and how to throw action and intrigue together in the right..." Read more

"...author's first attempts (and very early attempts at that) at writing good fiction...." Read more

"...timeline that is given in the Night's Dawn and tells short stories from different perspectives. All but one of these stories were page turners." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Matthew Schiariti
    5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT insight into the confederation universe
    Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Having read and loved the Night's Dawn Trilogy (as well as Fallen Dragon and the Mandell trilogy) it was only natural that I wanted to read Hamilton's collection of short story 'prequels' set in the confederation universe; the same universe that sets the backdrop for the NDT.

    A handful of short stories that spans about 500 or so years of history leading up to the Night's Dawn Trilogy, this book paints and interesting picture of the years leading up to the sci fi epic. We get to see the growing pains of colonized worlds, the actual birth of Edenism (and an interesting look into the founder of it...who isn't exactly everything we were lead to beleive he was during the telling of the NDT)...not to mention, perhaps the coolest aspect was reading about Lady Mac original owner and pilot, Joshua's father, Marcus Calvert one one of his missions that was only hinted at by Joshua in the Reality Dysfunction..

    There really isn't a bad story in the bunch and I found myself tearing through it quickly. I think the highlights were A Second Chance at Eden, The Lives And Loves Of Tiarella Rosa, and Escape Route. Those were my favorites.

    It's interesting that while the backdrop is sci fi, these stories aren't just about science fiction. There's some horror elements, fantasy elements, adventure elements. Just overall great stuff.

    My only issue however is that the editing or transfer or whatever you want to call it in the kindle edition is pretty awful. Usually when speaking via affinity the passages are in bold type. This is missing more than half the time in the story A Second Chance at Eden. Also, the stories are rife with missing periods. Sometimes it makes it hard to follow who is speaking to whom.

    In any event, that didn't take away from the great writing and fantastic story telling. A must for any Peter F Hamilton fan.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Penner
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Prefatory Collection
    Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2000
    Verified Purchase
    Just what the Night's Dawn trilogy needed: A set of short stories in chronological order that lay out the future history of his universe up until Volume I begins. For those intending to read the Night's Dawn books, I would actually recommend reading this first, as it introduces each of the major technologies and political entities prevalent in the trilogy one by one, while at the same time exploring their darker side and giving you some historical insight for the events of the trilogy. And don't worry: the major thread of Night's Dawn is a completely new storyline so this volume will ruin nothing.
    Hamilton is a brillant, versatile, sexy writer who knows how to control information and how to throw action and intrigue together in the right mixture.
    23 people found this helpful
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  • Adam Ruddermann
    5.0 out of 5 stars A necessary read for any Hamilton fan.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2000
    Verified Purchase
    After reading Hamilton's Night's Dawn Trilogy (The Reality Dysfunction, The Neutronium Alchemist and The Naked God) I found myself WANTING to learn more about the universe that he had so wonderfully created.
    I found this little book full of short stories set in the same universe as that series and was totally impressed. There are hints to the stories in A 2nd Chance at Eden in The Naked God (When Calvert tells Ione that his dad had once traveled through time and she didn't believe him, for example.)
    There is also a VERY valuable and fascinating story of Edenism which paints its esteemed leader in a much different light than most would think after reading the entire Night's Dawn series.
    So, check it out, and enjoy!
    16 people found this helpful
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  • jane arc
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite _The Naked God_...
    Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2000
    Verified Purchase
    I strongly disagree with Amazon's calling this book a superb collection of short stories. What this book does contain is the author's first attempts (and very early attempts at that) at writing good fiction.
    I read this book after I read the Nights Dawn trilogy, and I read it mainly for "educational value." That is to say, I wanted to know a little more about the author.
    While I wasn't expecting much, I was still disappointed. The writing is just nowhere near as engrossing or interesting as his later works.
    I dont suppose I would be able to convince any Hamilton fan not to read it, but for those of you who arent sure you want to spend $6 on this book -- don't.
    It doesn't offer any new insight into any of the characters you've come to like. The stories are written in what seems to be great haste, and they lack the depth and feeling present in Night's Dawn.
    Hopefully Hamilton will write some new fiction, maybe even in the same universe as this book and Night's Dawn. Until then, however, I think I am going to wait before reading any more Hamilton.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Hamilton
    Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I liked how it took me back to the beginning of my first Hamilton Reed Pandora star I believe now it all makes sense
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  • Todd Bissell
    4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect enough for what it is
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Like most short story collections, not all of the stories work as well as they should. Won't get into specifics, as to which stories worked for me and which didn't quite work in my opinion -- I suspect folks reading this review have pretty much already decided to either read this book or take a pass on it.

    But even still, this collection is perfect enough for what it is: a collection of Confederation Universe stories that help fill in the gaps and expand the viewpoints far beyond the usual Confederation Universe characters.
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  • G. Fleming
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential introduction to the Night’s Dawn universe
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The titular short (?) story sets up some essential background for the Night’s Dawn Trilogy. If possible, read it it first. If not, read it it anyway. Makes you appreciate Peter’s greatness.

    Honestly, that is far as I have read so far. If necessary, I will update my 5-star rating. But (again honestly) nothing that follows could possibly make me do that. Worth it for the titular story alone!!!
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  • Cooper
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Reading
    Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed the light easy reading provided in this Sci-Fi collection of short stories. I originally bought it for the story Sonny's Edge from the show Love, Death, and Robots. I ended up reading the rest of the stories and enjoyed them all.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Perceptive Reader
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Collection
    Reviewed in India on September 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Ever since "Sonnie's Edge" had shaken us all via that 'Love, Death and Robots' episode, Peter F. Hamilton's name has been coming up in sci-fi discussions repeatedly. Usually he writes massive novels. But that single and singular story had suddenly made all of us curious about his shorter pieces. Hence this collection!
    It contains one short novel— the titular work "A Second Chance at Eden", and six stories beginning with "Sonnie's Edge." These two works were highlights of this book.
    "Candy Buds" was lyrical, slow-burning, and eventually quite stunning with its twist.
    "New Days Old Times" was depressing.
    "Deathday" and "The Lives and Loves of Tiarella Rosa" were depressing and somewhat creepy.
    "Escape Route" is linked to Hamilton's trilogy, and is not much of a stand-alone work.
    Overall, this is a very good collection of sci-fi with a strong foundation of biotech and the eternal human conflicts prevailing over space & time.
    Recommended.
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  • Eckythump
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, bad print
    Reviewed in Australia on July 21, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Great book, but the print quality is abysmal. The print is too tight and small, and the pages are cramped and very hard to read.
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  • William Donelson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece, reminiscent of The Martian Chronicles.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 27, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This collection of one novella and six short stories is truly extraordinary, wonderful and marvellous.

    1. Sonnie's Edge - a short tale - clever, visceral, courageous, and tragic.
    2. A Second Chance at Eden - novella - an achingly beautiful vision of who we might be, a return to the garden, full of life and joy and humanity and magic, presented and stitched together through a murder mystery. A triumph. A joy. Beautiful.
    3. New Days Old Times - a rending of the fabric of good people's lives through old prejudices, a warning to us all to mature or suffer.
    4. Candy Buds - a re-telling of Silas Marner, beautifully and powerfully rendered, full of life and magic.
    5. Deathday - a story of agonising loss and revenge, of hatred which, as always, destroys both the hater and the hated.
    6. The Lives and Loves of Tiarella Rosa - a wonderful tale of lives interwoven in the past and future, of redemption and love, seasoned with just a touch of the supernatural.
    7. Escape Route - a straight sci-fi, space opera, cleverly constructed and a prequel in some ways to the Night's Dawn cast of characters.

    In these stories, their variety and humanity, I am reminded of The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury.

    In my opinion, this is a masterpiece, Mr Hamilton's finest work to date.
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  • AK
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent Peter Hamilton book
    Reviewed in Canada on February 17, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    i love all peter hamilton books and this one compliments his other confederation books.

    i will be a life long fan of this wonderful author

    and i will own every novel, short story or anything he’s published. excellent sci-fi
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  • CjW & KjW
    4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad series of short stories.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 3, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Not bad series of short stories.
    Some are confusing, luckily short; others are pretty darn good.
    Not a killer read; but interesting.

    Loosely connected on a timeframe, makes a good read at bedtime on the paperwhite kindle.
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