Since I like the horror stuff that Dan Simmons writes (_Carrion Comfort_ was really good), I thought I'd give _Hyperion_ a shot and wasn't disappointed. This Hugo Award winning novel is about seven people who are traveling to the planet Hyperion right when their government is about to go to war.

Each of the seven has been summoned to petition at the Shrike temple on Hyperion, but legend has it that of each group of seven pilgrims who go to the temple, only one will survive. It turns out that each has a secret which ties them to Hyperion, and the book is made up of these stories. This book is a creative mix of science fiction and fantasy, and each of the pilgrims' stories is touching and original.

The only drawback to this book is that one has to read the other books in the series _Fall of Hyperion_ and _Endymion_ to know what happens. Highly recommended for people who like epic SF/fantasy about the future of mankind in the vein of Frank Herbert (but not as dull).

Purchase Hyperion from Amazon.com now!