(Probably Both Found) Assistance finding books

[Kawa]

I've been trying to remember and locate a book or series of books I read a few years ago. I can't recall even the vaguest idea about the author or title, but I can remember some of what occurs. Please read below and tell me if you know which books I'm talking about. As I'm re-reading what I'm typing below, I start to think maybe I'm getting two stories mixed up and would really like to read them both again if I am!

It's a sci fi novel set throughout space. I believe they go throughout the universe, not just the galaxy but can't say for sure. In it, they try to explore gas giants and stars and discover life on both. Civilizations that span across all or nearly all the gas giants and stars. I also want to say that these civilizations have some way of traveling instantly from one planet or star to another. War ensues because humans are collectively idiotic. Humans get their ass handed to them for the most part.

This next part is the ending of the books/series so don't read if you don't recognize what I'm talking about.





Eventually they find dark matter life too, which is trying to destroy our universe. The star and gas giant people are super advanced and are working to create a bridge into a new universe because the dark matter entities can't be beaten. Humans use this gate and escape.

 

[Kawa]

I just noticed you have a forum section devoted to this type of question. Could a mod please move this for me?

 

[The Judge]

The gas giant and instant travel made me think of The Algebraist by Iain M Banks. I don't recall wars and the dark matter, though -- but it's been a while since I read it!

Anyway, I'll move this over to Book Search, which as you have now seen is where we put these questions, and I'm sure someone more knowledgable than I am will turn up soon!

 

[HareBrain]

Yep, I've moved this to Book Search. Hope someone can answer your question. I sure can't!

 

[The Judge]

Synchronised thread-moving here!

 

[Kawa]

It's definitely not The Algebraist. In the books I'm trying to find, we weren't actually able to communicate with or learn much about the other civilizations. Some idiots just got scared, planets ended up getting blown up.

I think I'll read that one though, looks interesting.

 

[Kawa]

This is driving me nuts! Can't even find a reference to anything similar anywhere other than The Algebraist, and that book isn't even close to the same.

 

[Dennis E. Taylor]

If the dark matter beings are called "photino birds", then it's a Steven Baxter novel.

 

[chrispenycate]

Yeah, I was thinking Baxter, but can't see the gas giant etc. But it was some time ago.

 

[Kawa]

So my feeling that I was thinking of 2 different books was right. I believe Ring by Steven Baxter was one of those books, now need to find the other lol. Thanks for the help!

 

[clovis-man]

Don't remember "dark matter" specifically, but some features of the "Heritage Universe" novels by Charles Sheffield come to mind, including IIRC, gas giants. The novel series starts with Summertide and continues with Divergence and three others. I think they can be found in onmibus versions.

 

[ralphkern]

The Saga of the Seven Suns - Kevin J Anderson

Although I got so bored with the series I didn't make it to the part you are referring to about the dark matter dudes, so it might not be.

 

[ralphkern]

Ring does have the dark matter Photino Birds. But the rest of your synopsis sounds like the above Saga.

 

[Kawa]

The Saga of the Seven Suns may be the other one I was looking for. It doesn't ring as true to my memory as Ring does, but familiar enough that I'm sure I've read it at least. Thanks for the help everyone!