In short, for someone who has already read all or a significant part of Hamilton sagas, too much resemblance to the Pandora's universe and the repetition of themes can cause a real problem weariness, and a real question as to why the author made this choice of more than surprising universe while he has always reinvented itself (even the shot of the dynasty of clones had a counterpart in the Dawn of Night, it seems). And it is all the more surprising when you know what kind of imagination the author knows how to show when building such as its alternate history based on eugenics practiced on the gladiators from the Roman Empire in a new Manhattan upside down (so much for the blow that could have a universe -from - be part of a great novel). In addition, even if it means "of Pandora," why have not located the action in this universe (his past)? On the other hand, one can see in a pinch this universe like a patchwork or a "best of" individual / one-time or recurring items scattered throughout the work of Hamilton (a little Fallen Dragon, a lot of Pandora, a little Dawn of Night, etc.). Not necessarily so bad.
Another concern: even if it is specified that small and bottom of the cover, it is only the two VOLUME ONE, the French edition having cut the original novel of 1000 and a few pages in two, as often with Hamilton. And this also my problem is that unlike Pandora or the Dawn of Night, cutting here falls strangely flat. It lacks a Cliffhanger, we know relatively little at the end of the first volume. Knowing that besides the rhythm (and the revelations) is quite slow, this is the first novel of Hamilton cut into several volumes when I did not particularly looking forward to putting my dirty paws on the following to know what happened / end.
All this being said, this novel is certainly not devoid of qualities. Between the alien potential murderer, the story of Angela and Zanth (its origins, goals), there is still 2-3 stuff I'm curious to see resolved. Moreover, the universe, even if it is much less original than before, none the less still coherent and well described trademark in Hamilton. The revelations about the past Angela are very well fed, and the character, although corresponding to the Hamiltonian stereotype of the beautiful ambitious and manipulative, n is not less interesting than most searched and heroines who preceded him. And in terms of characters, notice a welcome trend to follow less the same time. We are far from the Dawn of Night or Pandora, with its multiple heroes or protagonists all taken concurrently (although to be fair to Hamilton a masterful ability to bring together the different son priori separate intrigue in the last part of his novels).
All the reviews above are more or less irrelevant to a person who would never read a Hamilton (or just one, and could therefore not establish parallel). For these people, go, it is a very good novel. Universe characters, buildings, almost everything is there, except the division between the two volumes and the alien on revelations deficit in the first volume (exists? Does not exist?). For Hamilton fans However, my criticism have been warned small (actually quite small) disappointment that can expect. But hey, even if with less enthusiasm than before, that does not prevent me to read more. I want to know if there is, that beast, me.
PS: I draw your attention to the fact that this criticism reflects my impressions after reading the tome 1 and not of the entire novel (Volume 1 + 2). If you want to know my overall impression after reading the whole book, I invite you to refer to my review of the second volume. In addition to my impressions of it and throughout the book (Volume 1 + 2), I explained how the reading of Volume 2 was able to confirm or deny the impressions left by the reading of Volume 1.
