The Fall of Hyperion

Rating:
Summary: Mind-bending science fiction
Review: First, don't even think about reading this book if you haven't read the first part in the series, the Hugo winning Hyperion, since it will make little sense. This incredible sequel answers many of the questions left unanswered in the first novel, though a few riddles still remain. The novel is quite complex and can be hard to follow at times, the poetic references in particular went way over my head, and when the story shifts to the conflict between the various factions of Artificial Intelligences it all becomes quite complex. But this is still a great epic story about the fate of humanity and it's relation with the machines it creates, as well as God's relation with humans. There's time travel, space battles and plenty of adventure, but it never degenerates into the "space opera" type of sci fi. Dan Simmons tells a hell of a tale.

Rating:
Summary: The ending of the two-book series was excellent.
Review: Dan Simmon's 'The Fall of Hyperion' is not a sequel, but rather the second half of the unfinished story, 'Hyperion'. While 'Hyperion' was unique in its six wonderful tales as told by six people on a pilgrimage, 'The Fall of Hyperion' is more conventional, but is a real page-turner.

'The Fall of Hyperion' explains what happens to our travelers and delves into the purpose of the Shrike. It also expands greatly on the fairly thin plot exposed in 'Hyperion'. Most readers should enjoy this well-conceived and engrossing end to the story. Together, 'Hyperion' and 'The Fall of Hyperion' rank up there with the best science fiction has to offer and I give it 9 out of 10, or a five star ranking. However, because the reader is required (unknowingly) to purchase both books, I give each book 8 out of 10 and a four star rating.

Those who have forsaken 'The Fall of Hyperion' because it requires another purchase, are missing a rewarding experience. Those who have not yet read the Hyperion series are in for a treat. It is worth every penny of the two-book purchase price.

Rating:
Summary: A great way to finish what Hyperion started
Review: After I finished reading "Hyperion", it took me a while before I picked up this sequel. I'll admit that I didn't quite know what to think about the story. However, as time passed, I came to appreciate the rich imagery, plot intricacy, and beautiful writing that Simmons employed in the book, and I decided to give this second book a try. I think I ended up reading it in a single weekend.
The world that Simmons began to create in the first novel is expanded and enriched, drawing the reader further into its intricacies, and we see the characters introduced previously in increasing depth as they continue their pilgrimage to the Shrike and the Time Tombs. You could easily to go so far as to say that this is really the second half of the story that began in "Hyperion". If you were intrigued by the first book, or even if you were only mildly interested, go ahead and take the time to read the second half of the story. You'll probably be hooked, and if not, you'll at least have the satisfaction of having read the whole story, rather than just an abruptly terminated beginning.

Rating:
Summary: A great way to finish what Hyperion started
Review: After I finished reading "Hyperion", it took me a while before I picked up this sequel. I'll admit that I didn't quite know what to think about the story. However, as time passed, I came to appreciate the rich imagery, plot intricacy, and beautiful writing that Simmons employed in the book, and I decided to give this second book a try. I think I ended up reading it in a single weekend.
The world that Simmons began to create in the first novel is expanded and enriched, drawing the reader further into its intricacies, and we see the characters introduced previously in increasing depth as they continue their pilgrimage to the Shrike and the Time Tombs. You could easily to go so far as to say that this is really the second half of the story that began in "Hyperion". If you were intrigued by the first book, or even if you were only mildly interested, go ahead and take the time to read the second half of the story. You'll probably be hooked, and if not, you'll at least have the satisfaction of having read the whole story, rather than just an abruptly terminated beginning.

Rating:
Summary: The First Book Set 'Em Up
Review: And this book knocks 'em over. I love reading stories in which "everything you know is wrong". Simmons takes the characters and events recounted in "Hyperion" and swallows them whole in a tale that had me scraping my brains off the back wall. The introduction of M. Severn and Meina Gladstone makes for two of the more fascinating and deep characters I think I've ever read. The former is a cipher, reflecting the events taking place hundreds of light-years away (those of "Hyperion") and interpreting them through a dead poet's thoughts. The other is a master politician, leader of a Hegemony that encompasses more billions of souls than almost is comprehensible. The sacrifices they both make to save themselves save humanity itself, but at a terrible price.

Some sections of the book are slow (I found the myriad battles with the Shrike tedious) the majority of the tale is fast moving, incredibly rich and believable, and astounding in its plot and details. This book and its predecessor are simply two of the finest works of literature in any genre, and are utterly entertaining.

I've handed copies of the "Hyperion" books over to probably 20 friends over the last 8-9 years, and had never had any of them returned to me. I don't care ... these books are *that* good.

Rating:
Summary: Intrigue at a grand scale!
Review: After reading this book I understood that the stories of the pilgrims of the first part, "Hyperion", work as a clever device to reveal to the reader the magnificent and intriguing universe that Simmons has created for this series. If you finished
the first book with a feeling of disconnection between the stories, like I did, this is the part where all is blended together. The different patches are stitched together and the whole plot is laid before your eyes in all its complexity.

The scope of the story suddenly expands and it deals now with nothing less than the surviving of the human race. Difficult decisions affecting the destinies of entire worlds have to be made by leaders on the basis of insufficient and unreliable information. War rages. What is the role of the planet Hyperion and the shrike on this grand scale drama? Who can you trust?

The story offers some very interesting and not so obvious twists at the end. It has a sense of closure, but not all the issues are resolved. Actually, I think that the main issue is merely postponed to a time deep in the future of which we are offered only glimpses.

At times the story is difficult to follow because the pilgrims are split. Then we follow one of them for a while, and when
something extremely important seems to be about to happen... we shift to another pilgrim or subplot and start accumulating tension again. This format has the advantage, though, that it adds some suspense, and I liked it.

I assume that if you are considering reading this book is because you have read the first one. Go ahead! It will answer some of the many questions you must have. In case you have not read the first part, I do not think this second part is a stand-alone book; you need the background of "Hyperion".

Rating:
Summary: it's not over
Review: This is a must read for anyone who appreciates both fine literature and Science Fiction. No cowboys in space here... Well maybe a little...
God, Monster, killer time traveling robot or all of the above... Every one should familiarize them selves with the Shrike!
Read the first two books and you'll be locked in.

Rating:
Summary: So sad, so beautiful!
Review: I did not understand all of it, but I enjoyed its beauty. Hence, it must be art!

Rating:
Summary: I knew this would be five stars
Review: On reading my review for Hyperion, the immediate precursor to The Fall of Hyperion, I realize that I failed to properly appreciate what a great story Dan Simmons has created here. The detail and imagery is simply stunning, and the intricacies are probably the most involved I've ever read.

Reviewing fiction is difficult. How does one describe the events in a story without giving something away that the author can do so much better? How does one explain how the stories told in Hyperion all fit together properly other than to just say 'trust me, Simmons explains all' (in fairness, some of his explanations are a bit loopy, particularly his identification of a new force in the universe).

Now that the content-free accolades are done, let me say anyone hooked on the storyline at the end of Hyperion, or even just mildly interested, will not be disappointed here. The story does pick up where Hyperion left off, with only a slight shift in viewpoint to alert the reader that this is a new book. In the time span of the story, the Hegemony confronts the Ouster invasion while our pilgrims struggle in the valley of the Time Tombs. The true scope of the TechnoCore's threat is revealed. Finally, the questions - all of them I think - that arose during the pilgrims' tales are answered.

Rating:
Summary: The BEST
Review: The best Sci-Fi ever, the whole series (Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, The Rise of Endymion). The characters, the plot and the intensity make it a must read not just for Sci-Fi buffs but for any Fiction reader. Dan Simmons has as big of a surprise in the end as did Isaac Asimov's Foundation series. This series touches on all aspects of humanity in seven characters lifetimes through a plethora of worlds.