Hyperion

Rating:
Summary: Excellent literary sci-fi.
Review: For sheer literary value, this is probably the best science fiction series ever. Anyone in his right mind will read all four books. The prose is just dripping with different symbols, especially if you know much about the life and writing of John Keats, the poet whose work provides the inspiration for many of the characters and passages. In the end, you get a slam-bang thematic message delivered with skill that rivals a lot of classic authors. It's like reading Heart of Darkness if you've got the patience to read into the imagery. If not, you still get a wonderful, action-filled sci-fi story.

Rating:
Summary: Let me be a gritche (extravaganzza)
Review: I simply loved this book ! Astonishing characters and a breath-taking plot make it the best SF novel I've ever read.

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING
Review: i have just finished the entire series ( i think he will be coming out with a new one soon, as he left rise of endymion unfinished) and it is definately one of the best sci-fi, fantasy series i ahve ever read. i read all four books at the rate of one a week. i would recomend it to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: great book. Canterbury Tales for SF fans! a fast read...
Review: this book is incredible. on a suggestion, i picked it up, and breezed through it. i loved it, and couldn't wait to borrow the second book, i had to go buy it. its a bit like the Canterbury Tales, except in SF format. but read it and find out what i mean.

Rating:
Summary: Oh, a collection of short stories
Review: It's one thing to know that a book is intended as the beginning of a two-parter. But shouldn't it work on its own, too? The first Star Wars trilogy was good without having to wait for Phantom Menace.

This is the feeling I got from Hyperion. It was hundreds of pages of setup. Each pilgrim had his own story, and they were only loosely tied together by the pilgrimage idea. I think I would have been happier to present each story independently, and have the weaving take place within each story, rather than the mediocre trek across Hyperion and the poor premise of "Let's each tell a story one night" that we got instead.

I feel like I just watched the first part of a To Be Continued movie.

Mind you -- I'm reading Fall now and *loving* it. Much much better!

Rating:
Summary: what a massive waste of words
Review: I agree with reader [e-mail] from Chicago. The whole thing is just too illogical.

I personally don't cotton to religions so THAT was a complete turnoff right off the top.

I read his Children of the Night(5 stars)and so looked forward to his view of the universe. I was sadly disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: The Sweat from my fingers actually blurred the text.
Review: Two words: Thank You. This goes out to the author, to the publishers and to every single person who suggested I read this book, because I will tell you now its worth it. The enormous vision and equally intriguing (and occasionally frightening)imagery actually caused me to read the whole book through in one sitting.

Rating:
Summary: A classical storyline overlaid with outstanding Sci-Fi
Review: Having heard nothing of this series I bought this book while browsing at a bookstore. ( A real bookstore... gasp!) I was immediately captivated by the intriguing blend of classical literature (Canterbury Tales) and Sci-Fi. The tales of each of the pilgrims keeps the book fresh, and the point of view unique. This type of story-telling also allows the reader to use his/her imagination and intellect to piece together the history and core concepts of Simmon's detailed future. I loved the blend of religion, technology, warfare and politics as well as the author's contribution of futuristic "gadgets and monsters." An excellent read, and a MUST for any well read Science Fiction Fan!

Rating:
Summary: Combined with 'Fall of Hyperion' simply excellent
Review: The Technocore is a complicated construct of AIs, the Shrike a powerful monster of metal, the Hegemony about to face war. Six pilgrims embark on a pilgrimage to save the known universe...

The story just gets better as you read on. The characters are unique and intriguing. I hold this in my top five.

Rating:
Summary: Mind expanding fiction
Review: The Hyperion series is incredible. The range of ideas approached by these novels is seldom surpassed. The Hyperion books kept me thinking long after I stopped reading them. Beyond the intellectual stimulation, Simmons characters are very human, and therefore very memorable.