My first Peter Hamilton novel and it did not disappoint. A 914 page novel where not one page was wasted. GNR is surprisingly well constructed. Hamilton use of when to flashback and when to move the story forward is amazing. Marvelously keeps the suspense up while still feeling like the investigation was moving forward. It is rare to see this detailed a world construction outside of a high fantasy series. Manages to have the detail and plot depth of a multi-volume series in a stand alone. Fantastic.

Excellent book, long and detailed but that just makes it more enjoyable. An uncrushed story.

I liked all the arcs, and alternative views and story lines linking into the whole. I hope there will be a further book linking into the new world and characters / technology.

Well worth it, and glad I have a kindle. The book must weigh a tonne!

What a great read!  It's been a long time since I've read any sci-fi, but since I'm trying to expand my reading choices, I snagged this one.  It's a great mix of sci-fi, detective thriller and monster hunt.  What was so intriguing about it was while my brain tends to glaze over with anything technological, it didn't matter - it somehow felt logical so I was able to easily accept it and move on.  -and now I know where Google glass is heading!

 

The story takes place about 100 years and starts out with a murder, but as that investigation is going on, there's also a monster hunt on another world, and a lot of government & corporate politicking and maneuvering going on.  Tons of characters, but the way the author weaves backstories in along with small glimpses of personal lives, I didn't find myself lost but was able to connect with them.

 

Another author to add to my "gotta read more" list.

It'll probably take a while for my thoughts to settle - this was one long, complex, multilayered book.

Overall, I really enjoyed it, although the resolution (and the last ~10% in general) ultimately left me a little unsatisfied. It worked, yes, but it was a bit ... worked out a bit too well, and with somewhat heavy-handed messages while at it.

I enjoyed the characters (and I didn't mind the large number of POV characters); the mystery part of the plot was intriguing and kept me guessing for a long time; the rather slow pacing actually worked for me; the flashbacks (many of them, hopping back and forth) didn't annoy me.

I have a feeling that another time, I might rate this one a little lower, but right now, it did hit most of my positive buttons - plus, well, a combination of police procedural + jungle/arctic adventure + space opera proved to be an awesome combination.

This book was reviewed by Michael Cummings, senior reviewer with the Fantasy Book Addict.Despite being a Peter F. Hamilton fan, I have a confession to make – I never could get into the Reality Dysfunction. I loved the tech, I thought the characters were great, I just couldn’t wrap my brain around the dead coming back through a dimensional rift. It just smacked of cheesy, especially when Al Capone made his appearance.You can read the rest of the review here: http://www.fantasybookaddict.com/2013/05/03/great-north-road-review/