Un-put-downable!!!

This is the kind of book that will keep you engaged from the very first page.

The story is so captivating that you won't be able to put it down.

The characters are well-developed and you'll find yourself rooting for them throughout the entire journey.

The plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

You'll be completely immersed in the world that the author has created.

Whether you're a fan of mystery, romance, or adventure, this book has something for everyone.

So, if you're looking for a book that will keep you entertained for hours on end, look no further than this un-put-downable masterpiece!

Time to enhance one's mythological experience with some sci-fi elements.

Some people don't view this work in the same light as Hyperion and Endymion, and I can't fathom why. True, it may not be as outstanding, but it's still among the best that a science fantasy hybrid reader could hope for. For example, as far as I'm aware, there's nothing else of the same quality and perfection that combines mythology with sci-fi, fantasy with space opera style fractions, and generally dares to blend multiple genres.

Rewriting classic tales, Simmons employs very different technological levels of fractions, old evil, decadence, a hint of quantum, and splendid characterization to depict a somewhat different Trojan War. Although the certainty that much or most of human history isn't just ancient false news written by the victors isn't that great.

Gods playing with tiny, insignificant immortals is always so entertaining, especially when a big surprise about the background of this leisure or full-time entertainment is revealed. Now one could take different philosophical sci-fi paths to explain why aliens, gods, future humans via time travel, AIs simulating the universe, etc. would do this - out of boredom, for research, ancestor simulations, as a show, because they're mentally ill and that's what future psychiatric therapies are like, or for getting sane again through simulation.

Incidentally, in terms of philosophy, the highly bibliophile author has hidden so many extra Easter egg goodies that especially classic and mythology-prone readers might find their Elysium, or whatever version of heaven they prefer, perhaps even nasty hellish versions - everyone's personal choice, and I don't judge.

The reason this might not be seen as as groundbreaking as Hyperion is that it's more fantasy and thus, of course, not as complex, intertwined, and grand as the space opera fantasy hybrid Hyperion was. Still, it's a fascinating work with an added allure for history nerds.

Tropes demonstrate how literature is conceptualized and created, and which combination of elements makes works and genres unique:

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...

I have a deep affection for the concept of a throwback, an author who draws inspiration from the classics and gives them a fresh twist. Mieville rejuvenated rollicking pulp, while Susanna Clarke made fairy tales and the Gothic novel resonate with a modern audience. However, when adopting a bygone style, one should only take the best and discard the dross.

Definitely, copy Howard's verve and brooding, but skip the sexist titillation. Copy Lovecraft's cosmic horror, but avoid the racist epithets. Dan Simmons' Ilium feels like 50's sci-fi for all the wrong reasons, more of a relic than a throwback.

Each of his intertwined stories features a slightly different version of the standard science hero, that idealized author figure we all roll our eyes at. The plotting is convenient, with the story imposed on the characters rather than driven by their own desires. The main plots roughly parallel classic sci-fi texts, but lack the depth and originality to truly stand out.

The literary references in the book are curious, but Simmons fails to fully integrate them into the structure and prose. His language is disappointing, overly explanatory and reductive, leaving little room for the reader's imagination. The technology in the world makes no sense, and the depiction of sexuality is adolescent and one-sided.

The scene where the hero attempts to rape a woman is particularly disturbing and poorly executed. It adds nothing to the story and is quickly brushed aside by the author. The book's attempt to connect with great literature through overt references is shallow and ineffective.

In conclusion, Ilium is not a forward-looking book as sci-fi should be. It is a nostalgic attempt to redeem the past of sci-fi, but it makes the same mistakes as bad writing. While the concept has potential, Simmons fails to deliver a truly engaging and thought-provoking story.

Loved it!

I'm now pretty certain that I'm a die-hard Simmons fan. The two characters, Mahnmut and Orphu, are going to linger in my mind for months to come. Ilium is as mind-blowing and epic as his other book, Hyperion. It features far-flung futures, mentally exhausting concepts to wrap your head around, sentient beings, and space travel - all of it. The imagination on display is staggering.

Many other writers can create such worlds, but the characters in Ilium (and his other works) never feel flat, one-dimensional, or boring. Simmons does seem to lean towards writing 'for men' as there are numerous dude-things in this book, not to mention the whole story of the Iliad. It reminded me of Ada Palmer's series because of the Iliad theme.

I adored how the pace continued to accelerate. I even re-read some pages in the end as the battle scenes were just too juicy and sweet. My only slight complaint might be with Hockenberry. As the book progressed, he made more and more references to 20th and 21st-century things, which sometimes took me out of the epic space opera (like bringing up "OJ"). However, since the book is so far out there, there kind of needs to be some anchor to the real world.

I loved the mystery, not knowing what was going on, being confused and perplexed about time travel, wormholes, and quantum teleporting. And I absolutely loved the reenactment of the Greeks' and the Trojans' stories! To top it off, you get Shakespeare and then Proust (whom I knew nothing of but am now very curious about).

Outstanding stuff includes the descriptions of the weapons, armor, forcefields, and mind-blowing, futuristic tech; Harman's curiosity; Orphu of Io - need I say more?; the conversations laced with Shakespeare and Proust; Simmons leaving to the imagination what the moravecs look like; Zeus, Achilles, and others; the lush scenes and jaw-dropping settings; and Caliban - which felt cheesy at first but ended in sheer terror and still gives me the heebie jeebies.

If you liked Hyperion, you'll probably like this too. If you're new to Simmons, this is as good a start as any. I don't want to compare Simmons to other SF writers as it really depends on what you've read. I'm not one to give five stars out randomly. I stick with award-winning authors and don't know much about lesser-known ones. Simmons ranks up there with Herbert and Le Guin, and his epic storytelling reminds me of Card, with plots that harken back to Asimov and Clarke.