This book has been gathering dust on my shelf for approximately 20 years. I finally decided to pick it up, but I have to admit that I wasn't overly impressed.

Simmons is known for conducting extensive research for his books. However, in this case, the end result seems to be an overload of detail and a lackluster plot. That's precisely the problem here. Another issue is that the little plot that exists isn't particularly engaging.

The novel follows the story of two women who visit an exclusive resort in Hawaii and quickly become close friends. Meanwhile, the villain, the resort owner, is attempting to sell the place. All the while, two volcanoes are menacing the entire island with magma.

There are moments of enjoyment, but they are constantly disrupted by frequent story shifts. The novel alternates between the girls' story, the owner's story, and diary entries. This style often leaves you frustrated as the good plot is abandoned in favor of a less interesting one.

My final gripe is that this novel truly "jumps the shark." There's a scene where a woman who can't swim manages to save a boy from a shark. So many illogical things occur within just three pages that it drove me crazy. Simmons has definitely written better works in the past.

I really enjoyed the story. It was truly a delight to see the character Cordie brought back to life in this book.

The author did an excellent job of breathing new life into Cordie, making her feel real and vivid.

As I read, I could picture Cordie's every move, her expressions, and her emotions.

It was as if she had stepped right off the page and into my imagination.

The way the story unfolded around Cordie was also engaging and captivating.

I found myself completely invested in her journey, eager to see what would happen next.

This book not only brought Cordie back to life but also took me on a wonderful adventure.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story with well-developed characters.

I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us.

Not Dan Simmons's best.

The descriptions of the volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and lava flows seemed rather repetitive. It felt as if the same scenarios were being presented over and over again, lacking the kind of vivid and unique details that would have made them more engaging.

Byron Trumbo and his wives came across as caricatures. Their characters were not developed in a deep or meaningful way, but rather seemed like exaggerated and one-dimensional portrayals.

However, the best and most sympathetic character was Cordie Strumpf. She was full of spirit and had a take-no-prisoners attitude toward life. She was a worthy heroine, someone who readers could root for and admire. Her determination and courage in the face of difficult circumstances made her stand out from the other characters in the story.

Overall, while the book had its flaws, Cordie Strumpf's character was a bright spot and added some much-needed depth and interest to the narrative.

This is one of Simmons' lesser known novels.

Despite its (somewhat tenuous) connection to the season/night books, it holds its own charm.

Set in Hawaii, it weaves two narratives together.

The epistolary past features Samuel Clemons, adding a touch of historical authenticity.

The current narrative, which was published in 1994, includes what might be a Donald Trump analog, bringing a contemporary element.

Simmons skillfully incorporates Hawaiian mythology and history into the story.

These are subjects about which I knew very little, but through this book, I gained valuable insights.

The plot unfolds at a more leisurely pace compared to many of his adventure-oriented books.

However, it is still an interesting and engaging story.

Moreover, it offers a thoughtful portrayal of the native culture.

For a hot time in the old town tonight, this novel provides a unique and captivating reading experience.

I finally managed to get my hands on this "Seasons of Horror" book. The reason I was so eager to read it was that it's out of print, and for some unknown reason, there's no e-book version available. This particular installment in the series is likely the most enjoyable one. It truly embodies the spirit of the 90s. It doesn't possess the childhood charm and masterpiece quality of "Summer of Night" nor the straightforward horror of "A Winter Haunting". Instead, it's an adventure similar to "Children of Night", complete with a fascinating historical backstory that Dan Simmons crafts better than anyone else.

It's not his absolute best work. That honor goes to "The Rise of Endymion", which completely blew my mind. However, this book is still very readable and accessible in a way that some of his more intellectually challenging sci-fi novels aren't. If you're a fan of Dan Simmons, you're bound to enjoy this one as well. Even his lesser works have the power to keep you turning the pages, unable to put the book down.

In general, this novel is sold as a horror book. However, it is not in the strict sense. Let's say it is a fantasy with elements of supernatural terror that is always present.

The novel focuses on Hawaiian mythology, its creatures, ghosts, and demonic spirits that now haunt a hotel complex at the foot of the active Mauna Loa volcano. While tourists and people from the complex disappear mysteriously, the millionaire B. Trumbo tries to get rid of his luxury hotel by selling it to a group of Japanese entrepreneurs. To achieve this, he has to avoid at all costs that they find out about the creepy events that are taking place in the place... The same place where almost a hundred years ago there was a horrible supernatural massacre in which none other than... the writer Mark Twain was involved.

To be honest, the novel kept me turning the page and has that flavor that only eighties movies have. It creates a captivating atmosphere that combines the allure of Hawaiian mythology with the thrill of the unknown. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Whether you are a fan of horror, fantasy, or just a good story, this novel is definitely worth checking out.

I recently read what I thought was a decidedly bad Dan Simmons book: Darwin’s Blade.

This one has the even less illustrious problem of being kind of boring and mediocre. Stylistically, it’s basically a Michael Crichton book, but with some flourish. It’s even structured a lot like Jurassic Park, but then has some additional confusing elements to it.

The novel is set in the same universe as his novel Summer of Night (as well as Children of the Night and a Winter Haunting). It involves one of the characters from that book, now a grownup years later, though she’s not the primary character here. We are on the big island of Hawaii, which is oddly portrayed as being as small as Martha’s Vineyard, rather than half the size of Massachusetts. It’s at an all-inclusive luxury resort owned by a famous billionaire. Trumbo (NOT DONALD TRUMP, we’re repeatedly told) is trying to sell the resort, in part because of an upcoming divorce, perhaps hoping to hide the money from his wife’s lawyers, and also because of a rash of disappearances.

We also have Eleanor Perry, a historian from Oberlin, who is coming to the island for some kind of research. She tells another passenger on the flight where she’s staying, which makes him uneasy because of the reputation. Our last main characters are a local historian and Cordie, from Summer of Night, now a divorcee who has won a trip. The plot involves a tense weekend where the disappearances continue to occur, but are also interspersed with journal entries from the 1860s. At that time, a huge volcanic eruption wreaked havoc on the island and also features Mark Twain, who happened to be there.

The novel’s main subjects are strange enough, but the pacing and scope never quite gel in a way that works.

Eleanor Perry and Cordie Stumpf, two tourists in Hawaii, and Lorena Stewart and Samuel Langhorn Clemmons, two explorers in early Hawaii, found themselves in a rather strange situation.

In modern day Hawaii, as well as back in 1866, there was a belief that the local Hawaiian gods were angry and the balance needed to be restored.

I had the thought of trying more works by Dan Simmons since I really enjoyed "The Terror." However, perhaps I made a poor choice this time. The story was just okay, but the angle involving Twain (Samuel Langhorn Clemmons) was somewhat interesting.

It made me wonder how the lives of these different people, separated by time, would intersect with the idea of appeasing the angry gods and restoring the balance in the beautiful yet mysterious land of Hawaii.

Overall, while it wasn't a masterpiece, it did have its moments that kept me engaged and curious about what would happen next.

C -

This book had been sitting on my shelf for quite some time.

The last Simmons novel I delved into was "Ilium", and before that, it was the captivating "Hyperion" series. So, this one was indeed a significant departure.

I found his character introductions quite engaging, and the way he set the scene in beautiful Hawaii was truly remarkable.

I was even enthralled when the initial encounters with what seemed to be almost indescribable beings and events started to unfold.

At that point, it was extremely suspenseful and the pacing was just right.

I have a deep love for a good scientific mystery, and I was fully stoked and prepared for almost anything.

BUT... Hawaiian folklore? What on earth? Well, perhaps it worked for some of you readers, but it simply didn't resonate with me. I was a bit let down.

Ironically, I'm penning this review many months later, after having read "The Terror", also by Simmons. In that book, he appears to have revisited the concept of integrating some folklore or supernatural elements within the plot narrative.

He really got it right the second time around, but unfortunately, not so much with this one.

Still, I have a great deal of admiration for your work, Mr. Simmons, but I can only offer a somewhat half-hearted recommendation for this particular book.

I strongly disagree with the other reviews! This book is not typical Dan Simmons. However, it was super entertaining. There is a fun and loose connection to the other books in the series, which makes it even more interesting. Additionally, it was a great opportunity to learn about Hawaiian myth and lore. The author did a wonderful job of incorporating these elements into the story in a way that was engaging and easy to understand. I found myself completely immersed in the world that Simmons created. The characters were well-developed and the plot was full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an entertaining read that also offers some educational value. It's a great addition to the series and I can't wait to see what Simmons has in store for us next.

The story is overly long and contains an excessive amount of mythological information. It gets caught up in the characters, but lacks the agility of other novels by Simmons.

Simmons is known for his ability to craft engaging and fast-paced narratives, but this particular work seems to struggle in that regard. The detailed exploration of the mythological elements, while perhaps interesting in its own right, slows down the overall pace of the story.

The characters, although well-developed, sometimes feel like they are being held back by the weight of the mythology. Their actions and decisions are often influenced by the complex web of mythological references, rather than by their own agency.

In comparison to Simmons' other novels, this one lacks the sense of urgency and momentum that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. It meanders through the story, taking its time to unfold the plot and develop the characters, but at the expense of a more engaging and thrilling reading experience.

Overall, while the novel has its merits in terms of character development and mythological exploration, it falls short in terms of pacing and agility. It may appeal to readers who are interested in a more in-depth exploration of mythology, but those looking for a fast-paced and exciting read may be disappointed.

Entretenido, pero Simmons puede más. This simple statement holds a lot of meaning. Entertainment is great, but Simmons has the potential to do so much more. He may have the ability to excel in other areas, such as sports, academics, or the arts. Just because he is entertaining doesn't mean he should limit himself to that one aspect of his life.

Perhaps Simmons has hidden talents that haven't been discovered yet. Maybe he has a passion for something that he hasn't had the opportunity to pursue. It's important for him to explore different avenues and see where his true potential lies.

At the same time, it's also important to appreciate the entertainment that Simmons provides. He may bring joy and laughter to many people, and that is no small feat. However, we shouldn't pigeonhole him as just an entertainer. We should encourage him to reach for the stars and see what he can accomplish.