Simmons does it again. Mixing up Shakespeare, Proust, Homer, Virgil, mixing Gods and (post-)humans, nano-engineering and mysticism.
As confusing as it may sound, Dan Simmons manages to put it all into an engrossing and truly fascinating story. I can’t wait to read the sequel (Olympos)

Fun, because the story stays nicely in synch with the Illiad.

I’ve read historical fiction and I’ve read science fiction. But in Illium, Dan Simmons manages to combine both genres to create a good piece of work. If Mahnmut and Orphu debate Proust and Shakespeare on one side, Harman and Savi discuss the past glory of humans in the future. Quantum technology theories are explained in between pages that portray Homer’s Illiad. All these combine to make an engrossing read.