Dan Simmons: Hyperion

I added this book to my list of books to read after reading a review over on a blog I've just recently began following. Side note: I love this blog Only the Best Sci-fi/Fantasy because they write great reviews. So I found a copy at the library and started reading a few weeks ago.

I was immediately intrigued by the characters and drawn in by their stories. The book is setup in sections of flashbacks or stories while the characters travel and begin their journey. I was impressed by the back story that had to go into this and how Simmons ties them all together.

This is the first in a series and the end almost feels like the first chapter rather than the first book because nothing is concluded or resolved. Despite this huge cliffhanger and the overwhelming sense of being left hanging, I don't know if I'll continue the series.

There was a lot of violence and language in this one, almost too much for me. I'll be the first to admit that I'm a conservative reader, so feel free to disregard my complaints if this sort of thing doesn't bother you. And it's almost a shame, too, because I really got into the stories when the language wasn't distracting me. The futuristic society, technology, and science was interesting and felt unique to me, which was fun. Simmons handled the politics and ethics surrounding the characters in a way that wasn't overbearing and kept me entertained, too.

As I said, if you can handle this stuff you should definitely check this one out. But I won't be recommending it to my mother...