Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Starting Nov 15th. Let us know if you're in. This only commits for the first book in the series. If everybody likes it we can always continue.

Hyperion

In! :)

I read this one a few months ago - it's definitely one I'd like to discuss. My brain is still whirling from it.

I'm in :)

Olivia wrote: "I'm in :)"

Awesome! :D

Everybody still in? Start is in two days.

Yes. Got my book. Am ready. Just finishing up Dune for the first time today.

Yup!

Yup. All ready!

I have the book ready to read tomorrow!

I am in! And starting right now (thanks to Japanese time zone!).

35 pages in. These are some long chapters.

(view spoiler)[
What struck me the most was he nonchalantly threw in "Holy Office of the Inquisition, dormant the four centuries since the confusion following the death of Earth."

Yet all these Earthly religions are part of this quest. I find that odd and it has to play some main point in the plot.
(hide spoiler)]

While reading the first chapter (agreed Scott, extremely long chapters!), I had a revelation and thought this story reminded me of to two different books - one is And then there were none by Agatha Christie (granted a reversed form of it to some extent) and the Decameron by Boccaccio (provided that the Decameron is a collection of stories friends and acquaintances tell each other for entertainment while the plague is affecting Florence). I am hyped!

I absolutely loved the prologue. And Chapter 1, well I'm about 40 pages in. So far very enticing.

wow what a long chapter! I didnt want to put the book down until I finish the chapter 1 Especially when the first story of the group came up.
I wish I can say more but I dont know how to put up the hide spoiler. When I do I will say more!
Now I am wondering why I didnt read this book before!!!

I finished the first chapter. What a captivating story. This books is off to a marvellous start.

This book is actually a DNF of mine - started it during exams haha. Was swamped with last minute revision and then never finished it... I'm currently in between books so maybe I'll read it with y'all :)

The book was very clear. It has Been easy for me to imagine what things look like. But I have to admit That j am a bit confusing about the time and year in this book.

The year is 2732. I found the start of the book good but the story from the priest's journal has been rough. I've found myself wanted to read the other two books I have going while attempting to read this.

Scott wrote: "The year is 2732. I found the start of the book good but the story from the priest's journal has been rough. I've found myself wanted to read the other two books I have going while attempting to re..."

Aw I really liked the priest's story. It was so creepy and reminded me of Lovecraft.

The priest's story seemed to go on forever. But I was interested in all the mysteries surrounding the village. It definitely dinged my "creep-o-meter" a few times (which isn't hard to do). I will say this entire book read like one giant prequel. Lovecraft is a great comparison for the "feel."

Just finish the book. It was so good! I will read the second book!

The first book is pretty much a book of separate short stories. I loved it but the second book was a DNF for me.

Up to page 75. It's been tough sledding. Every time I get interested it slants off again.

Scott wrote: "Up to page 75. It's been tough sledding. Every time I get interested it slants off again."

Same Scott. I'm up to page 50. Nothing really caught my interest yet, although some characters have potential. But still, the payoff might be worth it end!

I've just finished the second tale now and am on page 170. I absolutely love what's happening here though I preferred the priest to the soldier

Carl wrote: "Yeah, I thought Kassad's story was weaker than the priests, but necessary for its insight into the protective strike forces and the ousters."

I agree, through when kassah's story end I wasnt sure how I am supposed to feel for him. Do I feel sorry for him or what? It is honestly a bit weird. Who am I kidding all of people's story are crazy lol.

Kassads story was my least favorite. I think my favorites were the priest and the scholor. I don't know about the second book. I think I just liked the short story format better in the first and I found the new new viewpoint characters boring. I just felt it was disconnected from the stories in the first one.

I finally made it through the end of chapter one last night and the last 25 pages were actually really good. Then chapter two started out disjointed again. I don't know if I'll make it through this.

I didn't even notice this thread was here! It's been on my tbr for ages - I wanted something sci-fi with lots of religious/mythological overtones, and got recommended it.

I might pick it up next and keep an eye on here if I do!

I called it quits for now. Maybe I'll come back to this later.

Scott wrote: "I called it quits for now. Maybe I'll come back to this later."

Sorry to hear that. :( I'm thinking I'll push through to the end because I know people who loved it, so maybe the pay off is in the end.

I'm now reading the Poet's tale. Wonderful prose!

Ok, so I'm done.

Not really plot spoilers per se, but still a comment about how it ends:

(view spoiler)[Basically there's no ending. It just leaves you hanging in the middle. (hide spoiler)]

I really enjoyed some of the short stories and some I really didn't like. The prose is wonderful. I love the world Simmons manages to paint.

Sorina wrote: "Scott wrote: "I called it quits for now. Maybe I'll come back to this later."

Sorry to hear that. :( I'm thinking I'll push through to the end because I know people who loved it, so maybe the pay ..."

Nope just separate stories each with a different style/genre.