Once again I feel apologetic about reading a sci-fi book. It's not something I really want to admit to. But come on, Battlestar Galactica was genuinely brilliant, and so is this book.

Be warned, it's completely impenetrable if you haven't read the first book, which makes this review a bit pointless. If you've not read Hyperion then don't read this. If you have, and made it to the end, then I don't really need to tell you read this.

It's worth knowing that things do resolve themselves at the end of this book - I was worried about plodding through 500+ pages only to find things were no further forward than they were at the start. Not the case. Things actually resolve quite brilliantly.

A genuine classic. ( )

Complex space opera with literary (read: poetry of John Keats) & religious overtones. Unlike most novels, there is no main protagonist; the storyline is developed through several different characters, focusing on or around the pilgrims (Canterbury Tales!). The first book ("Hyperion") consists of the individual stories of the pilgrims, and their journey to the Time Tombs. The second book ("Fall of Hyperion") starts off where the first one ends, continues the story of the pilgrimage and further develops the story on a grander scale, with the invasion of Hyperion and the Web as a backdrop. Although satisfying, the end leaves many questions unanswered (the story _is_ complex). Good writer. Blend of themes and writing styles. ( )

ZB4 ( )

Just fantastic. You must read this series. ( )

Link to a review on my personal website. ( )