Hyperion

The book that reinvented Space Opera. The Canterbury Tales in space - from the Hugo and World Fantasy Award-winning author of The Terror, which is now a chilling TV show. It is the 29th century and the universe of the Human Hegemony is under threat. Invasion by the warlike Ousters looms, and the mysterious schemes of the secessionist AI TechnoCore bring chaos ever closer. On the eve of disaster, with the entire galaxy at war, seven pilgrims set fourth on a final voyage to the legendary Time Tombs on Hyperion, home to the Shrike, a lethal creature, part god and part killing machine, whose powers transcend the limits of time and space. The pilgrims have resolved to die before discovering anything less than the secrets of the universe itself. Readers are hooked on Hyperion: 'His narrative is beautifully written . . . I couldn't stop reading. The payoff is totally worth it, as each story unfolds another facet of this incredible universe Simmons has created' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'One of the best epic, old mythology, and literature inspired, mindblowing, amazingly ingeniously written space operas' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'The scope of imagination, wordplay, and critical analysis of humankind is astounding . . . this is a story-driven narrative, and the stories that we're given are well worth the entry into a brave, new, unfamiliar world' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Hyperion has that indescribable, almost lovecraftian terror, dread and brooding present throughout' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'The superb use of the pilgrim's story telling device, that not only pushes the main story on, but seamlessly provides the depth and vibrancy to lay out this reality to the reader in such a simple, yet compelling way' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'Imagine a universe where the Earth has been destroyed and humanity is spread out across hundreds of planets. Combine the artful poetry of John Keats with a science fiction retelling of the Canterbury Tales . . . what you have is Hyperion. A masterpiece of literature' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 'A science fiction classic . . . If you count yourself an sf fan you need to read this. If you just want to read a damn good book this is also for you' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Dan Simmons won the WORLD FANTASY AWARD for his first novel, SONG OF KALI, inspired by his travels in India. In the 1990s he rewrote the SF rulebook with his Hyperion Cantos quartet. He died in 2026.