Much like the 2nd entry in the Seasons of Fear series, the sole advantage of reading this is to keep up with an adult version of one of the kids from the first book. In this particular instance, it's Cordie Cooke.

Interestingly, Cordie's journey as an adult provides a new perspective and depth to her character. We get to see how she has grown and changed over the years.

Moreover, Mike makes a very brief cameo appearance. However, his appearance is independent of Cordie's arc. It's almost like a surprise addition that adds a touch of familiarity to the story.

Overall, while the main focus is on Cordie, Mike's cameo gives readers a small nod to the previous book and keeps the connection alive.

Despite its limitations, this installment offers some interesting insights into the characters and their development, making it a worthwhile read for fans of the series.

Dan Simmons is indeed a talented writer, a fact that is merely hinted at in "Fires of Eden".

The story begins promisingly enough, but as one progresses through the pages, it gradually becomes increasingly tiresome. The villain in the story is cartoonishly greedy and vulgar, lacking any depth or complexity. Another primary protagonist is hardly more believable, making it difficult for the reader to truly engage with the characters.

Simmons attempts to blend horror and farce, but the result is neither scary nor funny. It falls flat in both aspects, leaving the reader feeling disappointed.

I have a certain fondness for Dan Simmons because many of his other books showcase his deep historical and literary research. For example, in "The Terror", he delves into the Franklin Expedition, in "Olympos", he explores Greek mythology, and in "Drood", he references Charles Dickens. The research behind "Fires of Eden" involves Hawaiian mythology, but the writing that accompanies it sometimes seems rather pulpish. There are even moments where I was tempted to think that Simmons had written this book as a mere afterthought, perhaps to justify his research trips to Hawaii as a tax write-off.

As someone who has spent time on the Big Island of Hawaii, I did find some enjoyment in "Fires of Eden" as it唤起了 my nostalgia for my time there. Simmons does a good job of describing the setting, making it come alive in the reader's mind. However, unless one has a similar connection to Hawaii or a desire to engage in such nostalgia, I cannot in good conscience recommend this book to anyone else.

It simply fails to live up to the standards set by Simmons in his other works.

I had an incredibly great time with this story. It was far more enjoyable than I had initially anticipated.

The setting of the story is truly captivating. It transports the reader to a completely different world, filled with unique landscapes and atmospheres.

The imagery used throughout the story is also outstanding. It vividly描绘出 each scene, making it easy for the reader to visualize and immerse themselves in the narrative.

Every detail is carefully crafted, adding depth and richness to the overall experience.

Whether it's the description of the characters, the actions they take, or the emotions they feel, the imagery brings everything to life.

I found myself completely engaged in the story from beginning to end, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

This story has truly left a lasting impression on me, and I can't wait to read more from the author.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

At first, it took me a few chapters to get used to the back-and-forth of the two different narratives. However, once I became accustomed to it, everything was great.

The story was filled with humor, which made it a delight to read. The twists and turns were completely unexpected, adding an element of excitement and keeping me on the edge of my seat.

I found myself constantly engaged and eager to turn the page to see what would happen next.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an entertaining and engaging read. It's definitely a thumbs up from me!

Simmons, in this novel, once more leaps across a plethora of genre boundaries. It combines elements of a business thriller, with its fast-paced and suspenseful plotlines that keep the reader on the edge of their seats. Then there's the supernatural/horror aspect, which adds an eerie and spine-tingling dimension. It also functions as a travelogue, vividly描绘ing the beautiful landscapes and unique culture of Hawaii (or the Sandwich Islands, depending on the era). Additionally, there's a touch of macabre humour that provides moments of darkly comical relief.

The novel further skips between the present day and 1866, creating an interesting juxtaposition of time periods. It also alternates between third person and first person diary extracts, adding depth and perspective to the story. I understand why some people might not appreciate the changes in tone and perspective, but for me, it worked wonders. I have to admit that I was completely fascinated by Simmons' (as always, meticulous) research into Hawaiian mythology. While it may not be his strongest work, it is definitely a lot of fun to read!

I have a profound love for Dan Simmons. However, I am only awarding this particular work 4 stars. The reason being that it doesn't quite reach the same level of epic grandeur or astonishing brilliance as his Ilium or the Hyperion series. Nevertheless, it is still an outstanding book.

It is truly a challenge to come across a science fiction writer who possesses all the qualities that Dan Simmons does. He is incredibly creative, with ideas that constantly surprise and engage the reader. His work is unpredictable, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout. He is also highly versatile, seamlessly blending different genres such as horror, fantasy, science fiction, literature, comedy, and even occasional mysticism.

Dan Simmons is a master at world-building, creating vivid and immersive universes that draw you in and make you feel as if you are a part of them. He is also excellent at controlling multiple plot threads and deftly interweaving them, resulting in a complex and engaging narrative. Moreover, his protagonists are anything but cookie-cutter. They are unique, with their own personalities and flaws, and he has a real feminist bent, which I find truly admirable. All in all, Dan Simmons is one of my absolute favorite fantasy authors.

Two women and a real estate magnate find themselves in a hotel in Hawaii.

One woman is on the trail of the travels of one of her former relatives, while the other is the winner of an all-inclusive stay. The magnate, on the other hand, is seeking to improve his finances.

However, this is also the time when the gods who hold sway over Hawaii awaken, along with their conflicts, as well as that of its volcanoes.

This story is a veritable encyclopedia on the pantheon of Hawaiian gods, as well as on the volcanoes of Hawaii and volcanic activity.

On the other hand, it comes at the expense of the pace of the story regarding the battle between humans and gods, not to mention the conflicts among humans and also among the gods.

I liked it, especially because of the author's research on Hawaii, but the story leaves something to be desired.

It could have been more engaging and the balance between the different elements could have been better achieved.

Nevertheless, it provides an interesting look into the rich mythology and natural phenomena of Hawaii.

This novel engages with dual time-streams, which adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.

In the present day, billionaire Byron Trumbo has constructed an ultra-posh golf resort on the slopes of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. However, it is currently hemorrhaging money as his guests either vanish or meet their demise in strange circumstances. His objective is to offload it to Japanese investors while evading his wife, girlfriend, and new girlfriend, who converge on the resort like the fearsome Three Furies.

One of the guests is Dr. Eleanor Perry, who arrives equipped with a journal her aunt penned about her 1866 visit to the Sandwich Islands and the volcanoes, as well as her encounters with a brash newspaperman named Samuel Clemens and a host of Hawaiian supernaturals, including Pele herself. Perry soon teams up with another guest, Cordie Stumpf, who has her own bag of surprises, such as a loaded .38 in her tote bag. Together, they quickly realize that Trumbo's contemporary issues are directly linked to those of 1866. Resolving them will demand, as it did then, a journey into the Hawaiian realm of the dead through doorways concealed within lava tubes.

This may not be one of Simmons' most renowned works, but I relished the unusual perspective on the supernatural feuds involved. I also found Simmons' portrayal of Mark Twain highly entertaining. Byron Trumbo initially threatened to devolve into a cartoonish figure of the very rich man/asshole archetype but ultimately redeemed himself in a rather unexpected yet satisfying way. Although it could have benefited from more nuance, it did manage to achieve its major objectives. The three women involved, Cordie, Eleanor Perry, and her Aunt Kidder, were far more captivating. Each had many more layers of complexity than the men and are the true heroines of the story.

My main gripe? Cordie Stumpf has a significant problem that remains unresolved by the end of the book, and I view this as a missed opportunity.

Two thirds of this novel are truly excellent. The story unfolds in a captivating manner, drawing the reader in and keeping them engaged.

However, the last third takes a rather strange turn and ventures into what can only be described as ludicrous territory. It's as if the author lost their way or perhaps tried to be too creative.

Despite this flaw, it was great to see Cordie Stumpf, formerly known as Cooke, back in action. She was a memorable character in Summer of Night, and it's nice to have her here again, in top form.

Overall, I would describe this book as serviceable horror. It does a decent job of providing entertainment and also serves as a rather nice travelogue for Hawaii's Big Island. It offers a minor but interesting exposition of the native culture and religion of the islands.

It's a shame about that ludicrous last third, as it does detract from what could have been a really great book. But still, it has its redeeming qualities and is worth a read for those interested in horror or Hawaiian culture.

Hawaiian ethnofantasy with a distinct socio-philosophical tone, into which the author, faithful to the literary creed "entertaining - enlightening", introduced Samuel Clemens, highlighting the history of Mark Twain's humor. So, there is Byron Trumbo, an unscrupulous businessman having nothing to do with Trump (yes, yes, the book even has a disclaimer that the hero can't stand the newly elected president). This very billionaire built a five-star tourist complex in Hawaii. And that would be fine, but unfortunately, people don't want to go there. There are rumors that guests are disappearing from the resort, and these rumors are not unfounded. Actually, the story begins with the disappearance of three people.

The rich are so rich because (not because "they are so greedy") their instincts lead them away from places where trouble is brewing. Trumbo is hastily trying to sell the resort to the Japanese as a recreational area for their billionaires. To attract the masses to an unpopular location, he holds a super contest for radio listeners of all American states, with a weekend on a paradise island as the main prize. One winner from each state. A mother with many children and the owner of a waste recycling empire (we will learn about the latter only in the finale), Cordy, wins her trip. Elinor (single, a history professor specializing in the Renaissance) has saved up for five years. And not only for the happiness of visiting a tropical paradise. The fact is that her distant relative, whom Mark Twain was going to marry, left diaries related to their meeting here. Elinor thus pays tribute to family history and her love for the man who began great American literature (you know that it all came out of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", like the Russian from Gogol's "Overcoat"?).

Meanwhile, unimaginable dark wonders are happening all around - here our Dan Simmons gives free rein to his natural inclinations. Volcanoes are starting to erupt, a humpback shark man is prowling in the sea, a terrible boar man is on land, and it seems that the entire Hawaiian pantheon has turned against the guests of the resort like the Birnam Forest against poor Macbeth. It is clear that there is a reason, but you will find out about the reasons when you read it.

I'm in ecstasy. Dan Simmons, apart from a particular penchant for detailed descriptions of blood, guts, and kindness, I usually scold for verbosity. A story that could easily fit on two hundred pages, he spreads over eight hundred. "Hot Eden" is neatly, compactly, and densely placed on four hundred and a few pages. And considering the rather complex plot, the abundance of characters and storylines, and the inevitable acquaintance with mythologies in ethnofantasy (which also require book space) - it's simply virtuosic.

Hawaiian ethnofantasy with a pronounced socio-philosophical sound, into which the author, true to the literary scholar's credo "entertaining - enlightening", introduced Samuel Clemens, highlighting the history of Mark Twain's humor. So, someone Byron Trumbo, an unprincipled entrepreneur having nothing in common with Trump (aha-aha, there is even a caveat in the book that the hero can't stand the newly elected president) - this very billionaire built a five-star tourist complex in Hawaii. And everything would be fine, but unfortunately, people don't want to go there. Rumors are circulating that guests are disappearing from the resort, and these rumors are not baseless. The story actually begins with the disappearance of three people.

The rich are so rich that (not because "they are so greedy") their intuition leads them away from places where trouble is about to occur. Trumbo is hastily trying to sell the resort to the Japanese as a vacation area for their billionaires. To attract the crowd to an unpopular location, he is running a super promotion for radio listeners of all American states, with a weekend on a paradise island as the main prize. One winner from each state. A mother with many children and the owner of a waste recycling empire (we will learn about the latter only in the finale), Cordy, wins her trip. Elinor (single, a history professor specializing in the Renaissance) has been saving for five years. And not only for the joy of visiting a tropical paradise. The thing is that her distant relative, whom Mark Twain was going to marry, left diaries related to their meeting right here. Elinor thus pays homage to family history and her love for the man who started great American literature (you know that it all came out of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", like the Russian from Gogol's "Overcoat"?).

And all around, meanwhile, unimaginable dark wonders are taking place - here our Dan Simmons gives free rein to his natural tendencies. Volcanoes are starting to erupt, a humpback shark man is prowling in the sea, a terrible boar man is on land, and it seems that the entire Hawaiian pantheon has risen up against the guests of the resort like the Birnam Forest against poor Macbeth. It is clear that there is a reason, but you will find out about the reasons when you read it, and even better - listen to the audiobook version of "Hot Eden" by Igor Knyazev. He is无与伦比.

A really good novel, extremely fantastical and original, set in a peculiar scenario, the Hawaiian Islands.

It truly captivated me from the very beginning. The author's vivid descriptions brought the unique charm of the Hawaiian Islands to life. The story was filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy for me to immerse myself in their world. I found myself completely lost in the pages of this novel, eagerly turning each one to see what would happen next. The fantastical elements added an extra layer of excitement and mystery, making it a truly unforgettable read. Overall, I would highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a unique and engaging story set in a beautiful and exotic location.

3.5 stars.

Dan Simmons has done an incredibly extensive amount of research on the mythology surrounding native Hawaii. His remarkable ability to skillfully craft this rich mythology into a truly compelling, thrilling, and haunting adventure is simply unparalleled.

I especially relished the related sub-plot/story of historical fiction that included Mark Twain. It added an extra layer of depth and intrigue to the overall narrative.

Of course, Cordie Cooke Stumpf plays a crucial role in making the book as engaging as it is. My deep fondness for the characters from Summer of Night definitely gives any book featuring them an edge when it comes to my rating.

Overall, this is an interesting and engaging story that has its own unique place within the “Seasons of Horror” series by Simmons. While it may potentially be the weakest story/book in the series, it has still firmly earned its spot as a strong work of thrilling storytelling. I have a feeling that I will likely find myself reading it again one day, eager to be immersed in its captivating world once more.