Fantasy/SF Book Reviews

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Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Bantam Spectra, 1995
Paperback, 482 pages
ISBN: 0553283685
Ordering information:
Amazon.com


Hyperion
by Dan Simmons In the 28th century, humans have destroyed Earth and have moved outward to the stars. On the planet Hyperion, there exists a mysterious and powerful creature known as the Shrike. The Shrike appears to operate outside of this universe's laws of physics, and has at times gone on murderous rampages. A new religion has been founded to worship it, some fear it for its propensity for violence, and others have determined to destroy it. As the galaxy heads towards interstellar war due to escalating conflicts between species, seven people are chosen from all walks of life to make a pilgrimage to the Shrike in the Valley of the Time Tombs to petition it to grant a request, as it has been known to do on occasion. Each pilgrim has different reasons for making the journey, and a hidden agenda. As each of the stories is relayed, it becomes clear how these individual people are all part of a larger pattern. But the journey to Hyperion is fraught with dangers, and there are quite a few people who don't want them to arrive at all.

Hyperion is the first book in the bestselling Cantos series, which also includes The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion and The Rise of Endymion. Originally released in 1990, Hyperion won the Hugo Award for best novel. The book follows the style of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: each pilgrim's story is told in turn. The travelers gradually get to know each other as the trip wears on; the group has people from all walks of life. The priest, the warrior, the administrator, the beautiful private detective, the poet: each tells his story with distinctive tone and style. The book takes much of its symbolism and subtext from the life of Romantic poet John Keats, and Keats lovers will greatly enjoy all the literary references to the poet and his poetry. Simmons is an incredibly gifted writer, and Hyperion is an absolutely gripping story. The world of the Hegemony and its world are brilliantly imagined, and each of the pilgrim's stories could easily be read as a stand-alone novella. Hyperion is easily standing the test of time, and is a must-read for lovers of SF.


The Curse of Chalion by Louise McMaster Bujold

Eos, August, 2001
Hardcover, 448 pages
ISBN: 0380979012
Ordering information:
Amazon.com


The Curse of Chalion
by Louise McMaster Bujold Lupe dy Cazaril was a decorated war hero and favored courtier. But a devious enemy left his name off a list of men to be ransomed after a disastrous siege, and he was sold into slavery for years. When he finally regains his freedom, he is an older, broken man. He makes his way to the royal household where he once served, and to his surprise, is offered the job of tutoring the Royesse Iselle, the sister to the heir to the throne of Chalion. When the entire household is recalled to the royal court at Cardegoss, Cazaril reluctantly accompanies them. It is immediately clear to Cazaril that something is terribly wrong in Cardegoss. The king seems to be suffering from a very odd illness, Iselle's brother, the heir to the throne is making some most unsavory friends, and Cazaril's old enemies are alive, well and bent on destroying him. It appears that Cazaril's fighting days are far from over, as he is forced to defend against an evil magic that is slowly destroying the kingdom of Chalion.

Multiple Hugo award-winning author Lois McMaster Bujold creates another fully-realized and fascinating fantasy world in The Curse of Chalion. Departing from the tradition of having a young, inexperienced hero, Ms. Bujold instead gives us Cazaril, an older hero (although he's only in his 30s, his experiences have aged him quite a bit) who is close to his breaking point. As Cazaril encounters his youthful students, their enthusiasm and joy for living help to heal his tortured soul. There is enough excitement, adventure and dark magic here to satisfy any fantasy fan, and enough beautiful, expressive writing to thrill any reader who wearies of some of the hack writing which exists in the fantasy field today. This is an excellent addition to this talented author's impressive body of work.


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