Ex Libris: The Dreaming Void

The Dreaming Void by Peter F. Hamilton is a continuation of his Commonwealth Saga (Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained). Having read the first two books, I was excited to see where he would take the story next. I did like this book. As it is the first book of a trilogy, The Void Trilogy, I expect the author will keep the most exciting action for the final book. There was certainly enough to keep my interest throughout this book. There was a steady progression of events and character development along with the re-introduction of characters from the Commonwealth Saga. I was especially intrigued by Hamilton's ideas about the evolution of humans, physiologically and socio-culturally. I look forward to the next installment of this series.

Ex Libris: The Rise of Endymion

The Rise of Endymion is the fourth and final book of the Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons (New York: Bantam Books, 1997; ISBN: 0-553-57298-9). I am somewhat relieved to come to the end of this series. While this book had some slow moments it provided a fitting end to the series. As usual, I have mixed feelings about leaving these characters with whom I've spent the last couple of months. I have enjoyed getting to know and spend time with these characters. I would like to read what happens to them next. On the other hand, I'm ready to move on to other stories and characters.

I'm sure that I will read more of Dan Simmons work in the future.

Ex Libris: Endymion

Endymion is the third book in the Hyperion Cantos series by Dan Simmons (New York: Bantam Books, 1996; ISBN: 0-553-57294-6). At the start of this book, I was afraid that Simmons had succumbed to that all-too-common failing of so many scifi series becoming overly preachy. Happily, although religion and the Catholic Church plays a major role in the book, Simmons is not preachy, but very direct about how central to human life the Catholic Church has become in this view of the 32nd century. I did enjoy this book. The story is quite compelling and the characters are very relatable. I found it hard to put this book down and when I did I was always eager to pick it up again.

Ex Libris: The Fall of Hyperion

I finished ready The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons (New York: Doubleday, 1990; ISBN: 0-553-28820-2). I continue to enjoy this series but I'm starting to get a bit of a foreshadowing of where the series is going and I don't think I'm going to like it. It seems to me that many scifi series (or, at least, the ones I read) will eventually become religious in nature. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I just wish that a series of scifi novels would disappoint me in this regard. I don't think these books are the ones to do that.

Ex Libris: Hyperion

The latest book I've finished is Hyperion by Dan Simmons (New York: Bantam Books, 1989; ISBN: 0-553-28368-5). One of the things that I love, and hate, about science fiction is that with each book or series of books you have learn entirely new vocabularies and geographies. In the case of Hyperion, I feel kind of neutral about this aspect of the book. I didn't feel that new vocabulary was oppressive. Nor did Mr. Simmons over explain his vocabulary (a mortal sin in my view). Hyperion is the first in a four book series and I am looking forward to reading the next three titles.