Salvation
by Peter F. Hamilton · first published 2018
83% recommend17% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Hard science fiction about a realistic alien invasion across several time periods, praised for coherent, well-built worlds and a strong sense of dread. Suits readers who like big-scale space SF and tech-heavy plots.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
"Humanity's complex relationship with technology spirals out of control in this first book of an all-new trilogy from "the owner of the most powerful imagination in science fiction" (Ken Follett). In 2204, humanity is expanding into the wider galaxy in leaps and bounds. Cutting-edge technology of linked jump gates has rendered most forms of transportation--including starships--virtually obsolete. Every place on earth, every distant planet humankind has settled, is now merely a step away from any other. And all seems wonderful--until a crashed alien spaceship of unknown origin is found on a new
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It's certainly more tech heavy and a power fantasy, but I recommend you give Salvation by Peter F. Hamilton a read. Especially the first book has many layers, and has maybe the most intense "oh fuck" moment I've ever read. Peter F. Hamilton is incredible at creating coherent worlds.
on “The Expanse's James S.A. Corey Announces a New Sci-Fi Trilogy” ↗Salvation Sequence by Peter G Hamilton A realistic alien invasion hard scifi trilogy set during different periods of time in our future. "Read" in audiobook format, narrated by John Lee who is also great.
on “Ask HN: What are some of the best books you have read in 2022?” ↗Revelation Space - Alastair Reynolds Three Body Problem Series - Cixin Liu Salvation Sequence - Peter F Hamilton (and by listing these I just realized I like stories about humanities doom)
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite sci-fi books?” ↗Iain M. Banks the Culture novels are wonderful, there are 9 of them. Peter F. Hamilton's Commonwealth universe and the new one Salvation are great. My favorite in the last 10 years or so is The Passage by Justin Cronin, when I started reading it felt like I was reading early Stephen King. He is the best writer of the above, and the story…
on “Ask HN: Recent sci-fi recommendations” ↗Peter F. Hamilton's Salvation series [1] has a similar take, but also provides a possible out: don't live on planets or near stars. In Liu Cixin's books (which I loved btw, also SPOILERS), the level of technology involves weapons…
on “Beyond “Fermi’s Paradox” XVI: What Is the “Dark Forest” Hypothesis?” ↗…Interdependency Series https://www.goodreads.com/series/202297-the-interdependency Basically all of the Culture Series by Iain M Banks https://www.goodreads.com/series/49118-culture Of Peter F Hamilton: - The Salvation Sequence series https://www.goodreads.com/series/242882-salvation-sequence - The Void Series, a sequel-trilogy to the Commonwealth Universe series https://www.goodreads.com/series/43520-void Of Alastair…
on “Ask HN: What did you read in 2025?” ↗I'm reading Peter F. Hamilton's Salvation just now, and Zagreus is used as a kind of penal colony, with global corporations having their own clandestine security forces that rendition anyone that opposes them.
on “Moon’s top layer has enough oxygen to sustain 8B people for 100k years” ↗Reminds me of the "portals" (quantum spacial entanglement devices) in Peter F Hamilton's Salvation Sequence, which as well as people, vehicles and equipment, are used for electrical and communications cables.
on “Numerics applied to Casimir geometry generates intersection with Alcubierre warp” ↗…theocracies and a President of the supposed #1 country has updated scientific hurricane reports with a sharpie. Plenty of science fiction authors have speculated meeting theocratic aliens. Peter Hamilton's Salvation comes to mind (you get where that series is going from the title).
on “Alien Truth” ↗