The first part of Ilion presents us with the main protagonists, divided into three stories that I assume will intertwine at some point.

Each of them has their own motives, ambitions, dreams, and history. This makes each story feel unique and personal, which helps to distinguish them well from one another. The sense of the unknown is palpable and visible. You don't know what is happening but you know that there is something deeper, something that is gradually being revealed with each story of the protagonists. Something that helps to learn more about what has happened along with the characters.

Without a doubt, it is a book that hooks you and knows how to keep you engaged. It makes you eager to discover what lies ahead and how the different storylines will come together. The author has done a great job of creating an atmosphere of mystery and anticipation, making it a truly captivating read.

Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or just looking for a good story, Ilion is definitely worth checking out.

"Ilium - l'assedio" is not a valuable book in itself because it is only half of a novel (the original is a single work with the second part that was published separately in Italy under the title "Ilium - la rivolta"), cut off between one chapter and the next when all of its storylines are still evolving.

While waiting to read the conclusive part, so far only a few things can be said and with the benefit of inventory: Ilium is in every respect a science fiction novel, with a strong dose of technology (which sets it apart, for better or worse, from fantasy) and, contrary to expectations, it has nothing to do with time travel: the various events (including the one that in some way mirrors the Trojan War) coexist in the same temporal continuum, in what way we will know in the next installment...

For now, there is the impression that the narrative emphasizes the playful and bizarre aspects, with the Greek and Trojan "heroes" and the gods who appear a bit like comic book characters, without any depth other than the suggestion determined by the grandeur of the names and what they will reverberate in our school memories.

Perhaps this account does not do full justice to Dan Simmons considering that these same characters drawn so far in a superficial and parodic way (nor did the author want to compete with Homer, I believe...) are certainly destined to interact with the other narrative levels and this could give new oxygen to a story that so far shows a bit of wear...

This is a great story! It is an extremely interesting blend of stories, records, scenes, and situations that fit together in a narrative that is both intertwined and enjoyable to read.

The author has done a remarkable job of weaving these various elements into a cohesive whole. Each story and record adds depth and complexity to the overall narrative, while the scenes and situations bring it to life.

Readers will be drawn in by the engaging plot and the well-developed characters. They will find themselves immersed in the world created by the author, eager to discover what happens next.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good story. It is a masterful work of literature that will leave a lasting impression.

As mentioned in the Presentation, this edition divides the reading of Ilión into two parts. It offers a great reading experience that combines ancient history, myths, legends, and science fiction. The story is divided into three groups of characters in different spaces and times, who will meet or at least be intertwined at some point.

It has exciting action and a good description of the characters' personalities as the narration progresses.

The part that I liked the most was that of Ilión itself, Troy, and the scholastic part with the "Gods". The part that I liked the least was that of the "ancient humans", but it also has its highlights. Overall, it is a captivating and engaging read that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

This is the first book I have read by this author.

It has been a bit difficult for me to get into the story, especially that of the Moravians, with their discourses on the authors of literature. The story that has attracted me the most because I am more familiar with it has been that of the Iliad itself. Also, the story of the inhabitants of the earth is gradually coming to life.

We will have to read the second part to see how it continues. Overall, I would rate this book a 6 out of 10.

The author has presented some interesting ideas and concepts, but at times, the narrative has felt a bit slow and convoluted. However, I am still intrigued enough to want to continue reading and see where the story takes us.

I hope that the second part will bring more clarity and excitement to the plot and that I will be able to better understand and appreciate the author's vision.

I really like that three different argumentative lines are developed. As the story progresses, we see how they are connected to each other. The characters are extremely interesting. And as a fan of the classics, I must say that I love the new versions, especially when they are so original.

The development of these three argumentative lines adds depth and complexity to the story. It keeps the reader engaged and curious to see how they will unfold and intersect. The interesting characters further enhance the appeal of the narrative, making it easy for the reader to become invested in their fates.

For me, as a lover of the classics, the new versions offer a fresh perspective and a unique take on familiar stories. When they are as original as this one, they can breathe new life into the classics and introduce them to a new generation of readers. It's exciting to see how modern interpretations can bring out the timeless themes and values of the originals while also adding something new and exciting.

The second part was more interesting.

Hockenberry is a character who doesn't appeal to me. I like the moravecs.

Looking at it from the second part, I can't believe that Daeman was "that".

The story seems to take an unexpected turn in the second part, which makes it more engaging.

The actions and behaviors of the characters become more complex and mysterious.

Hockenberry's character, although perhaps important to the plot, fails to capture my attention.

On the other hand, the moravecs bring a certain charm and intrigue.

As for Daeman, his true nature is gradually revealed in the second part, and it is quite astonishing.

The author does a good job of keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, eager to find out what will happen next.

The second part of the story has definitely piqued my interest and made me look forward to reading the rest.

Really, this first part is just the setup of the novel.

It makes us wonder what the plot twists and the conclusion will bring.

The author has skillfully laid the foundation, introducing the characters and the initial situation.

But the real excitement lies ahead, in the unfolding of the story.

We can't wait to see how the various elements will interact and develop.

Will there be unexpected revelations?

Will the characters face difficult choices?

These are the questions that keep us on the edge of our seats, eager to turn the page and discover what comes next.

The nudo and the desenlace hold the key to the whole narrative, and we are intrigued to find out how it all ends.

It is interesting for the point of view of the time traveler who witnesses the Trojan War, but there is nothing special!

The concept of a time traveler observing such a significant historical event as the Trojan War is indeed captivating. One can imagine the excitement and awe that the time traveler would experience as they watch the battles unfold, the heroes clash, and the fate of Troy hangs in the balance.

However, upon closer inspection, there may not be much more to it than just the initial intrigue. The Trojan War is a well-known and studied event in history, and while seeing it firsthand through the eyes of a time traveler might offer a unique perspective, it may not necessarily reveal anything truly new or revolutionary.

Perhaps the time traveler would notice details that have been overlooked by historians, or gain a deeper understanding of the emotions and motives of the participants. But in the end, it may still be just another account of a war that has already been told countless times.

A Difficult Start

Just like with the songs of Hyperion, I'm not sure if it's because Simmons doesn't bother to introduce the terms more amicably or simply because he doesn't have that knack. The book managed to hook me around page 200. There was an interesting discussion between Mahnmut and Orphu of Io, sharing experiences about Proust and Shakespeare. The approaches to the siege of Troy, the battles, and the different heroes who appeared there, along with the corresponding influences of the gods, were quite pleasant. However, I feel that he didn't work hard enough on the personalities of his characters. It wasn't just about saying what they thought but truly transmitting what they would be feeling. That's why I found the narrations of the different characters very monotonous. We'll see how the story evolves in the rest of the saga.

This book had a rough beginning, but it did manage to pick up some steam later on. The discussions between the characters added an interesting layer, as did the exploration of the siege of Troy. But the lack of depth in the characters' personalities was a bit of a letdown. I'm still curious to see where the story goes from here, though.

Maybe in the next installment of the saga, Simmons will focus more on developing the characters and making their emotions more palpable. That would definitely enhance the overall reading experience and make the story even more engaging.

I really liked it quite a bit. It's not as good as the Hyperion saga, but I was already expecting that. It's difficult to surpass that. There are three distinct storylines that end up connecting towards the end of the novel, an ending that is left completely open for the continuation, titled Olympus.

In the first one, we are in the Trojan War. The protagonist is Hockenberry, a 21st-century professor specialized in classical Greek culture, who has been brought back to life and acts as an observer on the battlefield to later report to the gods of Olympus. The events occur just as Homer sang them in his Iliad. It is then when ideas of rebellion arise in Hockenberry because when all the details of what is going to happen are known, doesn't it mean that the events can be changed? Can Troy be saved? Will Hockenberry dare to challenge the will of the all-powerful gods? A great idea to reinterpret Homer's Iliad by adding elements of science fiction. And here the gods truly exist, but it is the enormously advanced technology they use that makes them gods.

The second storyline takes place on Earth. After a great catastrophe caused by the so-called posthumans before abandoning the planet, one million people survive who are continuously cared for and watched over by artificial servants. The humans are like the Eloi in Wells' "The Time Machine", they live peacefully without worrying about anything, the servants do everything. They use teleportation and resurrection (although they are only allowed to live 100 years), but almost no one can read. Only a few humans feel curious about the past and will embark on a journey full of adventures and discoveries that will change the world as they know it. This part has elements of dystopia and post-apocalyptic science fiction. Very entertaining.

The third one has the moravecs as protagonists. They are mechanical beings with organic parts, sent by the Old Earth before the collapse, they have evolved on their own and have colonized Jupiter. When an unusual technological activity is detected on Mars, an expedition will set out to investigate. Soon things will go wrong and the moravecs will have to fight to survive and will have to use all their skills to be able to understand what is happening on Mars. This part I liked a little less, but the two moravecs who are the protagonists are the ones who have all my sympathies, they are the most charming characters, suffice it to say that they spend their idle time passionately discussing the works of Shakespeare or Proust.

Storia del futuro


I chose this novel because of Simmons' reputation and the theme it deals with, which is interesting in my eyes. In fact, the author shows a great deal of inventiveness and a desire to have fun with the characters, crossing references from the Iliad with the most advanced technology, making the reader experience something truly worth living.

The author's style is slightly detached for my taste, but he knows how to capture attention in the various plots he tackles. The intellectual skirmishes between the two Moravecs are delicious, as is the possibility for the protagonist to morph into other bodies. This aspect adds an element of mystery and excitement to the story, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. Overall, "Storia del futuro" is a captivating read that combines elements of mythology, science fiction, and adventure to create a unique and engaging narrative.