Fallen Dragon

By: Peter F. Hamilton

Narrated by: John Lee

In the distant future, corporations have become sustainable communities with their own militaries, and corporate goals have essentially replaced political ideology. On a youthful, rebellious impulse, Lawrence joined the military of a corporation that he now recognizes to be ruthless and exploitative. His only hope for escape is to earn enough money to buy his place in a better corporation. When his platoon is sent to a distant colony to quell a local resistance effort, it seems like a stroke of amazing fortune, and Lawrence plans to rob the colony of their fabled gemstone, the Fallen Dragon, to get the money he needs. However, he soon discovers that the Fallen Dragon is not a gemstone at all but an alien life form that the local colonists have been protecting since it crashed in their area. Now Lawrence has to decide if he will steal the alien to exploit the use of its inherent biotechnical processes - which far exceed anything humans are capable of - or if he will help the Resistance get the alien home.

©2002 Peter F. Hamilton (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A fascinating, compulsively readable clash of hardware and ideals." ( Kirkus)

Well written, excellent story concept

I get very annoyed by lazy writing and authors who insult your intelligence with illogical plot lines and uncharacteristic and inconsistent behavior. And so many get 4 and 5 star reviews. None of that here. Intelligently written with thoughtful and rational explanations for behavior, actions, science, etc.

The story concept is a bit better than the actual story and it takes a while to get to the interesting part. But it was entertaining throughout with a good payoff. Engaging and thoughtful philosophy was nice to see as well. Overall, enjoyed it quite a bit. Will search for more by this author.

Don't start with this book

I'm glad I didn't start with this book. Peter F. Hamilton has written several fantastic novels, but I would not count this as one. There is nothing to get behind here and not much to relate to.

Brilliant dreamscape.

This is the second of Hamilton’s works to which I’ve listened. His writing reminds me of so much of the Golden Era Science Fiction I’ve read in my life with its dream-like "anything is possible" vision that is so much a part of the work of authors such as E.E. Smith, Edward Hamilton, and John W. Campbell. In 'Fallen Dragon', that vision becomes thoroughly modernized. And while that modernization can at times, namely when it includes realistically graphic scenes of particular horrors, prove difficult for some to handle in a way that doesn’t allow said scenes to interfere with the story as a whole, in the end it’s absolutely worth it. I’m on my second listen now, approximately a third of the way through, and this time the beauty of the story’s dreamscape is more prominent than the times it transforms into "mini-nightmares". John Lee, a favorite narrator of mine, does a brilliant narration and I’m unable to imagine anyone else in his place. Moreover, this performance, I believe, propels Mr. Lee from great to legendary.

Definitely worth the listen.

Wait for it....wait for it. Damn good read and absolutely loved the perfect ending.

Confusing but Still Fascinating

First let me say I have absolutely loved every one of Peter Hamilton's other books, & have read all of them. Great narration, as usual for John Lee. & The well written detail, characters, & wonderful luscious world building was truly fascinating, as it always is with Peter Hamilton. However, the way this story was written, from the point of view of one character, with two converging & alternating timelines (at least I think that's what it was, Lol!) was extremely confusing & disorienting at 1st. Maybe it's just me, but I was a very long way into this book before I finally figured out this was how the story was being told. Now I'm wondering if that was perhaps what the author intended. Because figuring it out, was kind of an "a-ha!" moment for me. However, being thrown back & forth between two different periods in time w/o warning or knowing this was what was happening, was so confusing & frustrating that, if the individual chapters had not been such interesting stories within themselves, I probably would not have been able to finish the book. And the ending?! I'm not sure what to say, after all the details & build up, it felt like a huge anti-climax. But I think I may need to go back & listen to the ending again, bcuz amongst those crazy alternating timelines, maybe I just missed something....😉