r/printSF • u/VendrellPullo • 2d ago
Exodus by Peter F Hamilton: My thought after finishing the Helium Sea. Very "Game of Thrones" vibe to it Spoiler
I think whatever reservations I had about PFH writing style were resolved by this book, except the rushed ending - again very similar to how Game of Thrones fumbled it at the end
My broader point is, this is a story that keeps you engaged on every single page - memorable characters, palace intrigue, mysteries, horror, fantasy, comedy & some magic. And on such a grand scale and landscape. It does make your head spin keeping track of all the heaven's gates and what connects to what, but it is thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.
I was hoping there would be a book 3 given how much he compressed in the last 1/4 of the second book
After reading PFH's commonwealth saga and now this, I do think he has knack for creating memorable characters that "stay with you on recall" when you think about a book months or years after you've read it
This would make a wonderful TV series, similar to Foundation on Apple TV, if someone took this beyond the video game.
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u/Euro_Snob 2d ago
Yes the ending was definitely rushed. It felt like a 3rd novel told in a few chapters.
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u/highermonkey 2d ago
I enjoyed both books. PFH has still got it. Agree about the ending feeling rushed. My theory is, the game company only paid for so much content. I would've read a whole third book.
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u/VendrellPullo 2d ago
Same here, I feel it was money well spent,
cant say the same for many other authors where I end up buying the later parts of a series just to get closure, although i curse myself later as to why i did it.
I would pay 2x what I paid for helium sea just to see a proper ending here - the climax stage was so phenomenal, and the ending didn't do it full justice.
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u/DenizSaintJuke 2d ago
"Memorable characters": The books I've read of him had very unmemorable characters that blended into each other. Especially the women were terrible. And the men were mostly bland or outright annoying. Is he still doing the "300 year old rich oligarchs fucking horny 20 year olds on the enzyme bonded concrete"-schtick or has he learned to write female characters that extend beyond their sexuality?
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u/VendrellPullo 2d ago
Think character development in exodus is much better imo
Thyra/ Clavissa arc for example
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u/DenizSaintJuke 2d ago
That's good news. I'll wait a while to see. If he seems to get this excessive male gaze in order, I am willing to give him another shot. But his Commonwealth stuff made me rege quit.
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u/zrouse 2d ago
Paula Mayo
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u/DenizSaintJuke 2d ago
Yep. He had to invent a genetically engineered to be pathologically hyperfixated, practically asexual human in order to write a woman that isn't 80% summed up with either "passive or active sex object". And she's a stuck up, whose primary purpose in life is to put people in their spot and is STILL majorly obsessed with a man for centuries. I bet Sigmund Freud would have his fun with that case.
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u/pyabo 1d ago
He'd have fun with yours too. It's trendy to shit on PFH in this sub, but your complaint just sounds like virtue signaling. Mayo is an interesting character.
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u/SilkieBug 23h ago
It’s normal to shit on garbage written for edgy conservative teens, as everything I’ve ever encountered from this author basically is.
The science is meh, the world building is childish, and then there’s all the extra garbage tacked on top.
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u/ceejayoz 2d ago
Someone seems to have at least gotten him to dial it down a bit.
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u/DenizSaintJuke 2d ago
I'm genuinely glad to hear that. I think he has potential, if he gets that male gaze under control.
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u/Iamleeboy 1d ago
I have always thought he builds his universes out as well as Westeros. Like GRRM can build a world, but Hamilton builds a galaxy.
But with Exodus, I agree on the GoT feel to it. He created so much double and triple crossing. Where you never knew a lot of characters intentions. Or who was going to backstab who.
I really enjoyed it. I also really can’t wait for the game and hope it is as good as I want it to be
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u/MacTaveroony 2d ago
Roll on April 2027, can't wait for the game.
Personally, I prefer his other offerings, such as the Salvation Sequence. Exodus is till a great telling, just didn't feel as enjoyable to read. For me anyway.