Endymion
by Dan Simmons
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 984)
Read in August, 2006
recommends it for:
fans of His Dark Materials
This book and its sequel, The Rise of Endymion, are remarkably similar to Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials series. If you liked Pullman's work, you'll probably like this as well. Endymion is a much more adult look at many of the same themes explored by Pullman. (For reference, Simmon's books were written in '96 and '97, while Pullman's were writting in '95, '97 and 2000. Seems that these were very popular themes in the late '90s. Who knew.)
I have to recommend th...more
I have to recommend th...more
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Read in February, 2008
It's odd. I'd heard that the Hyperion books got weird faster than the Dune books. I figured that meant after the second book (since, by my recollection Dune got really weird after the third book). However, this isn't that weird. In fact, at the risk of being lynched by angry scifi fans, I liked this book WAY better than Hyperion. I think Simmons works better with only a few characters to worry about. I felt I got to know these characters much better than the nine in Hyperion. After reading this,...more
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Stop! If you've read Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion, stop there. The series does not continue. Pretend like these two books (endymion and rise of endymion) do not exist. On the other hand, if you haven't read hyperion, go read it. It's great. Really good. One of my favorite books. Amazing. But endymion takes a huge step down. After Fall of Hyperion, you're probably hungry for more, but trust me, it just has to stay that way. Some of the mysteries just have to be left as mysteries. E...more
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I didn't really think Hyperion needed a sequel and the first book, while interestingly plotted and written, didn't do much to change my opinion. However, the work Simmons does with Aenea
in the sequel and the heart wrenching ending cemented these sequels as part of the series perfectly.
As and aside: It occurred to me that with Hyperion and Endymion's religious subtexts, one could view the first two books as a kind of Old Testament view of religion and the second two as a kinder, more person...more
in the sequel and the heart wrenching ending cemented these sequels as part of the series perfectly.
As and aside: It occurred to me that with Hyperion and Endymion's religious subtexts, one could view the first two books as a kind of Old Testament view of religion and the second two as a kinder, more person...more
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Read in November, 2007
This novel follows Fall of Hyperion. It begins a couple centuries after the fall of Hyperion.
Good stuff. It introduces Aenea, a sort of alternative messiah-type borne of the Keats cybrid and Brawne Lamia, one of the Shrike Pilgrims from Hyperion.
The Pax is after her because they see her as a threat to the religious tyranny they wield over the entire hegemony. Aenea, Raul Endymion and A. Bettik take to the River Tethys to find Old Earth and save humankind.
Good stuff. It introduces Aenea, a sort of alternative messiah-type borne of the Keats cybrid and Brawne Lamia, one of the Shrike Pilgrims from Hyperion.
The Pax is after her because they see her as a threat to the religious tyranny they wield over the entire hegemony. Aenea, Raul Endymion and A. Bettik take to the River Tethys to find Old Earth and save humankind.
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Read in January, 1996
One of the biggest disappointments I've come across. It was way too long, and, NOTHING HAPPENED!
Here I figured, finally, we get to find out what the Shrike is all about, but still nothing. I'm still wondering why Simmons bothered with this. Rise of Endymion is out now, but you know what?
I just don't care anymore. The frustrating thing is Simmons still remains my favorite author.
I recommend it if you're a fast reader but this just took too much of my time.
Here I figured, finally, we get to find out what the Shrike is all about, but still nothing. I'm still wondering why Simmons bothered with this. Rise of Endymion is out now, but you know what?
I just don't care anymore. The frustrating thing is Simmons still remains my favorite author.
I recommend it if you're a fast reader but this just took too much of my time.
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Read in December, 2007
a very worthy next installment in the Hyperion Saga. It took me a while to get into it, but I usually have that when I read a book in a series that jumps forward in time and many of the characters and cultures are a bit more unfamiliar. Like Hyperion, it's obviously made to be a 2-part tale as it ends with all of the characters safe but the future uncertain. I'm looking forward to reading The Rise of Endymion and finding out how all this ends!
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Read in May, 2008
Hyperion was the first Dan Simmons book I ever read and still sits on top 10 list. After that I devoured every single one of his books. Some are great, others not as fantastic. Endymion takes place in the same universe as Hyperion and, though the book takes a different track, keeps to the high standards the Hyperion books do. I'd read Hyperion/Fall of Hyperion first and then proceed shortly thereafter to Endymion/Rise of Endymion.
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Loved these books. There are the typical Dan Simmons sins of too much info-dumping and reader-handholding, but it doesn't even matter. There are also some overlong descriptive chapters. Whatever. They are skippable and you won't miss anything. The story is awesome and kinda out there, though cheesy at times.
The definition of a page-turner, though, and you'll be staying up all night reading this. For sure.
The definition of a page-turner, though, and you'll be staying up all night reading this. For sure.
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Read in January, 2005
Definitely enjoyable, although I found the world hopping slightly irritating - like a long road movie. Anyway, some really interesting and quite horrifying ideas here, especially the rise of the corrupt Pax. And The Shrike, this time as protector rather than killer. Great book, a good precursor to Rise of Endymion. Definitely recommended.
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Read in July, 2007
It's more self-contained than Hyperion}, but this book definitely functions mostly as set-up to the final book in the series, [book:Rise of Endymion. It's also a little more heavy-handed with the obligatory allegory-for-modern-life, and some of the bits about the Church come dangerously close to OMFG-SYMOLISM!!1!
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Read in January, 1996
"Stellar" science fiction, for my opinion. Brilliant plot and end, and pushed me to think outside the tiny box that is my head. Left me with a wistful feeling of wanting to explore his universe further. I often think back to this series and how it unfolded perfectly, to the last page of the last book. (sigh)
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Read in January, 1998
This is the third book in the Hyperion series, and once again, Simmons changes the structure and tone and the characters. He also makes this clear from the first sentence: "You are probably reading this for the wrong reason". Now that is a hook.
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Easily my favorite in the series. Plenty of action and a great cast of characters. Just a super travelogue. SF readers, this book is what we constantly look for and what keeps us hooked. I'm still looking for comparable reads. Sigh.
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recommends it for:
fans of Sci Fi
a really good story of good vs evil and the frailty/strenght of the human race...suspenseful and thought provoking...3-D characters, well thought out and mutlifaceted "world"...fantastic read!
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Robin by:
Andrewrecommends it for: everyone
A fantastic continuation/new beginning of an excellent series that everyone should read. There's really nothing quite like it.
But do start with Hyperion.
But do start with Hyperion.
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Read in October, 2007
friendship is more powerful than hierarchy. love is quicker than light. trust entropy to get the job done in the end.
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Brilliant, and always dark. Simmons needs a happy pill.
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