Yet another remarkable and seemingly meticulously researched book by Dan Simmons. I am still grappling with the atrocious rationale behind 'Flashback'. However, his writing in this one is so excellent that I'm already back in his fan club!

The story is set in Hawaii and told across two time zones. In the past, we follow the adventures of the single and intrepid traveller Miss Lorena Stewart through her letters. She encounters Sam Clemson (an essayist and travel writer) as the volcanoes are about to erupt in the mid-19th century. In the 1990s, a property tycoon is desperate to sell his high-end elite holiday resort before the volcanoes blow again. Stewart's descendant Eleanor Perry and the free holiday competition winner Cordie Stumpf are the protagonists caught up in this drama.

What ties these tales together? There's murder, rape, gods, ghosts, lava, volcanoes, and more! Surprisingly, despite my usual lack of interest in ghost stories, this supernatural tale linked to native Hawaiian deities works extremely well. Telling the stories in different formats and having the main protagonists as women in their 40s and 50s also adds to the charm. I'm just beginning to realize with Simmons that so many of his leading characters are outside the norm in terms of age, body shapes, and genders. In any case, this is another very interesting offering from Simmons that also introduces native Hawaiian mythology to less informed readers like me. I rate it 8 out of 12, a solid Four Star read.

Here's a GIF of some of the lava runs from the actual Kilaeua volcano in this book:

2019 read

This is one of Dan Simmons' trickiest books to read.

Not that it's written in any difficult style, or following a particularly difficult plot. It's simply that it's well... different.

I expected the expected from the author after reading the synopsis. Mega-serious scary thriller.

Reading the book with this mindset left me puzzled for its first third, as all things were... wrong.

So I decided that Dan Simmons must've visited Hawaii in the early 90's and lost a bet there, and was thus forced into writing a novel about the archipelago's mythology.

Dan Simmons being Dan Simmons just couldn't help it, and had to include a historical character (like he does in most of his novels).

And, since the bet had not indicated the type of tone he had to use, he decided on writing a picaresque novel, and who better to include than Mark Twain.

So there are going to be scenes of Mark Twain surfing (yea. surfing.), exploring volcanoes, stripping naked and rescuing lost souls from the underworld. Why not?

And a whole slew of other cardboard characters, typical of the picaresque novel: the cold and calculated billionaire with three 'wives' put face-to-face with supernatural forces, the vengeful ex-wife with her attorney, the super-hot and gullible bikini dame, the young and single female history professor traveling the world, etc.

With this change in mindset I immediately starting liking the novel.

Using his fast-paced style the author does not let you put the book down for too long periods.

His research in Hawaii history and mythology is, as always with his research, very thorough.

Obviously, can't tell if it's correct or not, but who cares?

The novel is also surprising in its ending sequence, especially when it comes to choice of heroic characters.

Overall, a pleasant read, and a worthy addition to Dan Simmons' bibliography.

Later, if you read the synopsis of 'Drood' and intend to read it, you're going to think it's another one of these 'trap / picaresque' novels of Dan Simmons'.

Charles Dickens instead of Mark Twain, and more supernatural forces. Well... no! 'Drood' just couldn't be more different.

Hawaiian history is a rich and fascinating tapestry that intertwines with the realm of gods and mythology.

The Hawaiian people have a deep connection to their land and the supernatural forces that they believe govern it. Their gods and goddesses are an integral part of their cultural and spiritual heritage.

For example, Pele is the goddess of fire, volcanoes, and creation. She is often associated with the powerful and destructive forces of nature. According to legend, Pele created the Hawaiian Islands with her fiery lava.

Another important deity is Kane, the god of the sky and life. He is considered the supreme god and is associated with light, knowledge, and fertility.

The combination of Hawaiian history and gods provides a unique perspective on the culture and beliefs of the Hawaiian people. It shows how they have interacted with their environment and how their spiritual beliefs have influenced their way of life.

Today, the study of Hawaiian history and mythology continues to be an important part of Hawaiian culture. It helps to preserve the traditions and values of the past and to pass them on to future generations.

I read Fires of Eden several years ago. From the moment I started reading it, I was completely captivated. The story was so engaging that I couldn't put the book down. I loved it to such an extent that I decided to send copies to my friends and family. The heroine in the book is truly unexpected. Her character development and actions keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The story itself is a perfect blend of fun and frightening elements. It takes you on a thrilling journey that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. I found myself rereading certain passages just to fully appreciate the details. I only wish that this amazing book was available in an audible version. I really enjoy revisiting a book in a different format. It gives me a new perspective and allows me to experience the story in a whole new way.

The plot is tightly woven.

The atmosphere is palpable, especially during the tense moments, just like the ones in Dan Simmons' works.

This is mainly what made me appreciate this novel.

The story unfolds in a captivating manner, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

The author's skill in creating a sense of mystery and suspense is truly remarkable.

Each character is well-developed, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

The settings are vividly described, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in the story.

Overall, this is a thrilling and engaging novel that I would highly recommend to fans of the genre.

https://psylook.kimengumi.fr/2020/11/...

This book had the potential to be significantly better.

The constant switching back and forth between 3 - 4 different plot lines made it quite confusing and disrupted the flow.

Byron Trumbo was indeed a great character, and I had a fondness for him. However, overall, the book just didn't quite hit the mark for me.

On the positive side, there is a wealth of good history about Hawaii included in this book, along with a great source of culture.

If you have an interest in such things, then it might be worth reading. Otherwise, it's probably best to pass it up.

Perhaps with a more streamlined plot and better organization, this book could have been a real gem.

I ended up not finishing the novel around page 260.

Altogether, it's just a very scattered work. It spends an inordinate amount of time simply describing people's movements from point A to point B. There is very little within the narrative to maintain your attention throughout the entire reading experience.

I have read Hyperion and Terror, and both of them were phenomenal. They had engaging storylines, well-developed characters, and a unique atmosphere that kept me hooked from start to finish.

In my opinion, this novel is way below those experiences. It lacks the depth, the excitement, and the overall quality that made Hyperion and Terror so memorable. It seems to be more of a meandering journey without a clear purpose or destination.

Perhaps others may have a different opinion, but for me, this novel failed to live up to my expectations.

Well, this is truly a wild and rather extraordinary tale. It involves not only giant pigs but also ancient gods, the beautiful and mysterious Hawaii, the renowned Samuel Clemens, and a Donald Trump-like figure who has made significant investments in Hawaii. There's even a tenuous connection to Dan Simmons's other season books. Simmons, in his attempt to juggle all these diverse elements, comes perilously close to what one might call Crazytown at times.

Personally, I'm not entirely convinced that dragging in Cordie from SUMMER OF NIGHT was the most brilliant idea. Additionally, I think that the Trump-like Trumbo character represents a slightly missed satirical opportunity. However, one must give credit where it's due. The author does an unexpectedly good job of mimicking Samuel Clemens in the journal excerpts.

I have a hunch that this particular novel might have served as a bit of throat-clearing on Simmons's part before he embarked on the next two Hyperion novels. To be honest, I'm still not entirely sure what I just read because, when all is said and done, the plot is, quite frankly, pretty fucking silly. But perhaps that's part of its charm and the unique allure that Simmons brings to his writing.

Hmmm, perhaps it's 3.25 stars? Heh, that extra.25 is due to the nostalgia of vacation.

This whole experience was about the timing. My HP Lovecraft reading group chose this particular piece because I was traveling to the Big Island. And indeed, that did assist me in enjoying it more than I might have without a recent visit. I most definitely relished all the volcanic activity described. Also, the Hawaiian mythology aspect was quite interesting. But of course, I have no clue as to what is real and what the author fabricated. However, I found the interweaving of the 1866 stuff rather annoying. It was placed and timed in a way that mostly served to spoil the 1994 stuff. Overall, I found the story to be enjoyable but not outstanding.

I think the author had some good ideas, especially with the incorporation of the volcanic and mythological elements. But the way the different time periods were combined could have been better executed. Maybe with a bit more finesse, this could have been a truly great story. As it is, it's a solid 3.25 stars for me.

Ultimately, this book was just kind of boring. I had truly loved all the other Seasons of Horror books in Simmon's series. However, this particular one simply didn't resonate with me. First of all, it leans much more towards being an adventure book rather than a horror book. As a result, it really strays far from the genre it is supposed to belong to. Second, the connection to the other three books is practically nonexistent, aside from the character names. The returning characters could just as easily have been given different names, and then there would be literally no link at all. The plot centers around the construction of a new hotel, but you never really develop any genuine interest in it. Instead, you are simply forced to watch all the poorly constructed plot devices unfold in a very common, repetitive, and generic manner. It's definitely not a enjoyable read.

Knowing what I know of the writing of Dan Simmons, I expected this to be a science-fiction novel when I picked it up a couple of years ago. I never even read the synopsis and promptly forgot I owned it. Turns out I was about as far off as I could be. I wouldn't exactly call it fantasy, nor would I call it horror, and I wouldn't precisely label it as an environmental novel (though that's probably closest to the truth, with hints of such ecodisaster scenarios as Prophecy, the Godzilla movies, and the like running through it). It has elements of all of them but never fully morphs into any one category, preferring to defy classification like many of Simmons' best books do.

Byron Trumbo is a billionaire with an attitude, a pending divorce, two young lovers who are unaware of each other, and a money-pit Hawaiian resort he's attempting to unload on a group of Japanese investors who wish to turn it into a golf club. The issue is that people keep disappearing at Mauna Pele, and pieces of them surface at the worst possible moments. To this, add two intrepid adventurers who have come to Mauna Pele for different reasons (again, spoilers...) and who band together to try and solve the murders, an overly curious treehugger art curator who was hired after threatening to sue Trumbo for bulldozing over duck ponds, a crazed, murderous Hawaiian separatist, and a dimwitted pair of security guards, and the stage is set for a lively and entertaining time. All of the major characters are well-developed and believable, albeit a bit exaggerated at times (while I'm not usually one to be put off by such things, the seemingly constant use of profanity in the book threw me off; I could have done with less of it).

Add in cuts where we read sections of the main character's great-great-aunt's diary; the main character, Eleanor, is following in her aunt's footsteps, recreating a journey Aunt Kidder took with Samuel Clemens to the volcanoes on the Big Island (back when Americans knew Hawaii as the Sandwich Islands). This was one of the devices that annoyed me in the book, and it wouldn't have bothered me if it hadn't been done so many times: we find ourselves at a cliffhanger and the diary narration takes over again. The first time, I liked it. The second time, I still liked it. The third time, I liked it a little less. And so on. However, that was the only real drawback of the novel, and I have to say it definitely held my interest until the very last page. Definitely worth looking for.

Dan Simmons dreams about Yellowstone.

Not the popular TV show, but the actual volcano.

The vast and powerful Yellowstone Caldera, one of the largest active volcanoes on Earth, has always fascinated him.

In his dreams, he envisions the magnificent eruptions that could potentially occur.

The ground trembling, ash and lava spewing forth, and the sky turning dark.

He imagines the chaos and destruction that would follow, yet also the beauty and power of nature on full display.

These dreams have led him to study more about Yellowstone, its history, and the science behind volcanic activity.

He hopes to one day visit the area and witness its wonder firsthand.

Until then, his dreams will continue to fuel his curiosity and passion for this remarkable natural phenomenon.