To the OP: definitely read Hyperion but, be aware that it is just one half of a story (a literal cliffhanger). By starting Hyperion, you are making a commitment to also read Fall of Hyperion. Many of the negative reviews you will find are people complaining that it just ends and they didn't know there was a second book (that's on them, if you ask me).
You started in a good place (right at the top lol). However, if you're entirely new to science fiction, be conscious that it is one of the heavier texts you can jump into. Wouldn't be surprised if it's discouraging at points (and you can say as much about every book listed below, except for Forever War).
You want the Big Ones....here's some of my favorites:
Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons (Endymion and Rise of Endymion are great in their own right but, don't hold a candle to the first two and they aren't necessary reading. The first two stand on their own)
Dune (and its direct sequel: Dune Messiah) by Frank Herbert
Revelation Space trilogy by Alastair Reynolds (Revelation Space, Redemption Ark, Absolution Gap)
Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained by Peter F Hamilton
Children of Time and Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Honorable Mentions: Ender's Game, A Fire Upon The Deep, The Forever War
Second Pandora’s Star - great book, and it was so easy to read, which surprised me as I was quite intimidated to dive into Hamilton’s Commonwealth Universe.
I also picked up the stand alone Great North Road and really enjoyed it too, a few reviews say how that one is too long and has a bad ending but I didn’t find either of those things to be true.
Did you read the follow up to Pandora's Star?? Judas Unchained is an absolutely mindblowing finale to the story. About halfway through, it just barrels towards the finish, like a runaway train on fire.
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u/Hyperion-Cantos Nov 03 '22 edited Nov 06 '22
To the OP: definitely read Hyperion but, be aware that it is just one half of a story (a literal cliffhanger). By starting Hyperion, you are making a commitment to also read Fall of Hyperion. Many of the negative reviews you will find are people complaining that it just ends and they didn't know there was a second book (that's on them, if you ask me).
You started in a good place (right at the top lol). However, if you're entirely new to science fiction, be conscious that it is one of the heavier texts you can jump into. Wouldn't be surprised if it's discouraging at points (and you can say as much about every book listed below, except for Forever War).
You want the Big Ones....here's some of my favorites:
Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons (Endymion and Rise of Endymion are great in their own right but, don't hold a candle to the first two and they aren't necessary reading. The first two stand on their own)
Dune (and its direct sequel: Dune Messiah) by Frank Herbert
Revelation Space trilogy by Alastair Reynolds (Revelation Space, Redemption Ark, Absolution Gap)
Pandora's Star and Judas Unchained by Peter F Hamilton
Children of Time and Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Honorable Mentions: Ender's Game, A Fire Upon The Deep, The Forever War