Books like Pandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton

When astronomer Dudley Bose observes a star vanish inexplicably over a thousand light‑years away, the Intersolar Commonwealth must act. A faster‑than‑light vessel, the Second Chance, is dispatched to investigate the anomaly and assess any danger it may pose. Commanded by Wilson Kime, a seasoned former NASA pilot, the crew must confront threats both external and internal: a cult called the Guardians of Selfhood—led by Bradley Johansson—believes the disappearance signals manipulation by an alien force known as the Starflyer. As the mission progresses, suspicion grows that the ship’s crew may have been compromised, and a looming revelation threatens to destabilize the Commonwealth and humanity itself. The novel explores interstellar politics, the limits of technology, and the consequences of confronting an unknown cosmic menace.

First publish date: 2004