Fallen Dragon

Lawrence Newton always dreamed of adventure amongst the stars. Now the ultimate prize is within his grasp. But what will he risk to get it? Fallen Dragon is a classic standalone novel by science fiction star Peter F. Hamilton. For fans of Iain M. Banks and Alastair Reynolds.'The owner of the most powerful imagination in science fiction' - Ken Follett, author of The Pillars of the EarthLawrence is the sergeant of a washed-out platoon, taking part in the bungled invasion of yet another human colony world.
The giant corporations call such campaigns 'asset realization'. In practice, it's simple piracy. When he's on the ground, being shot at and firebombed by resistance forces, he recalls stories of the Temple of the Fallen Dragon. Its priests supposedly guard a treasure hoard large enough to buy lifelong happiness. So Lawrence decides to mount a dangerous private-enterprise operation of his own.'Hamilton handles massive ideas with enviable ease' - Guardian