Sarah Pierzchala
Jul 19, 2026
Fast paced while pondering deep questions
In the far future, a signal from the neighboring Andromeda galaxy is believed to emanate from a long-lost colony. The signal spurs the Milky Way's ruling bureaucrat overseers, the Free Exchange, to mount a fact-finding expedition. The first dozen chapters or so build up the world and the cast of characters, as the Free exchange must construct a new intergalactic ship and assemble an experienced crew. Samir Singh is a veteran living a monkish existence to atone for his war crimes. He believes accepting the captaincy of the new ship, the "Hyperion", may be a chance for him to redeem himself while benefitting humanity. Members of his crew include Miles, a hapless tool of the Free Exchange who wants to live on his own terms but can't find the courage, and Erika, the cold-hearted transhumanist scientist. When the "Hyperion" finally reaches its destination and makes first contact with an entirely new type of life, plans that were laid in place centuries earlier are set in motion and begin a non-stop charge to an action-packed climax. This book feels like part of a larger series, but the backstories necessary for setting and characters are ample, and help establish a good sense of history and depth. I found some passages of inner conflict to be a bit repetitious, but certainly not enough to detract from the exciting twists and turns of the plot. There are many moving parts in this long novel, but the author does a brilliant job balancing them, crafting a truly entertaining and gripping epic. This is an ambitious work that asks truly deep questions about humanity's purpose in the Universe and seamlessly blends political theory and theology with action, suspense, and memorable characters.
