I'm surprised no one has mentioned Peter F Hamilton.

Those who like Iain M. Banks, Alastair Reynolds, Dan Simmons, and other space opera writers should read him.

I'm currently reading his Void books (Dreaming Void and Temporal Void), having completed his Commonwealth series (Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained) recently.

All his books are good, starting from his Greg Mandel books to his Confederation Universe.

Suggest you visit this forum as well: http://theunisphere.com/, for more information about the works of Peter F Hamilton.