More a "must try" than a "must read". I enjoy reading SF, and didn't like the Hyperion and Endymion series...

I knew about it for over a decade, but didn't read it because the premise sounded quite dumb, lol.

Pilgrims?

A random monster?

WTH?!

But it was very sci-fi-y in the end. Interesting concepts, not too soft on the science.

Loved it.