Rating: 
Summary: Great book - not as good as Hyperion
Review: Let me begin by saying that Hyperion is the best book I've ever read. But the worst part about hyperion was it's ending. Thankfully, there's a sequel that explains everything that happens with the pilgrims and the Shrike. The book is a roller coaster filled with action and intrigue. If you've read Hyperion, you HAVE to read Fall of Hyperion. It's worth it.
Rating:
Summary: We want more!
Review: The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons is the second book in the Hyperion series. I won't say this one is as good as the first one, as it isn't, but it comes close, real close. Simmons again captivated me with the story revolving around the planet Hyperion. Like the first book this one was full of surprises and unexpected plots. I have to say though that I am easy surprised. For one I didn't see the end of Sixth Sense coming until Bruce discovered himself. This time our heroes meet the Shrike one by one. For each the outcome is different, but satisfying. At least for the reader it is. The Hegemony finds out who the real enemy is. No big surprise there. Surprising for me was the way they attacked it though and the big consequences it has for mankind. Anyways, great book, will read the next one for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Not a fall at all, a big step up
Review: The Fall of Hyperion is everything that Hyperion is not. Great. Exciting. Thoughtful. Much much better. Hyperion should have been 100 pages at the beginning of this book. We finally have our AI war, the end of the world and God. Everything I look for in a sci-fi novel. The characters that were so boring in Hyperion, really come alive in Fall. I couldn't put it down for my concern for them. Perhaps oddest of all, this is a sequel that surpasses the original. We'll see what the next installment is like. One word of warning, this book is 517 pages and a tiny font. This book is probably really about a 700 or 800 page book with a normal font.
Rating: 
Summary: What a Disappointment!
Review: I enjoyed "Hyperion" (see my 4-star review) and, upon finishing, I eagerly started "The Fall of Hyperion". I was anxious to find out the fate of our brave pilgrims. 500 pages later, I didn't even care about them anymore.
Rather than focusing on the characters in the first book that I had grown to care so much about, in "Fall", the author follows two new main characters that are not well developed, and tend to be only passive observers of the universe around them. Also, the style of this sequel is very different from the first book. Every chapter ends in a cliffhanger, and the next one picks up with a different character's story. Used sparingly, this technique can build suspense, but here it is irritating. There were many times when I was tempted to just skip ahead so I could follow a particular storyline. In general the writing feels sloppy and rushed.
Another annoying aspect of "The Fall of Hyperion" is the overabundance of exposition and explanation. Not only does Simmons waste dozens of pages, recapping the events of the first book, he even recaps things that happened 100 pages earlier in this< book. The whole thing could have been edited down to 100 pages, and tacked on as a final section of "Hyperion".
All this being said, there are some exciting moments every once in a while, and it's nice to learn how the story of "Hyperion" ends. Still, I can't say it was worth suffering through all the filler. I don't think I'll be progressing any further in this series.
Rating: 
Summary: Simmons on Fire!
Review: Hyperion, artistically, is one of the craftiest novels I've ever read. Fall Of Hyperion was different in style, but I think I found it more entertaining.
In Hyperion, Simmons' format was the short story, where we were given each of the pilgrim's different tales, one at a time. By the end of each story you are intensely caught up in that pilgrim, and can't wait to see what happens to him (or her) next. But then Simmons is pretty much done with that character for the rest of the book, and moves on to the next with similar result. The waiting was agony- a true credit to his masterful ability.
In Fall of Hyperion (which is more like a normal novel), we finally find out what is in store for our pilgrims, and it was well worth the wait! Now he switches back and forth between each of the main characters on a regular basis, revealing a little more each time. Normally, when you have this many main characters, you find yourself bored by some, and can't wait to get back to others- In Fall Of Hyperion, I enjoyed each of them, almost equally, for one very smooth-paced, entertaining read.
The two books, together, make an amazing duology, with everything solved rather nicely by the end... Which leaves me quite curious as to what we will see in the next two!
Rating:
Summary: Diffrent from the first, but excellent
Review: Hyperion and its sequel tell a story that is rich in detail and astounding in scope. Many complain that they are so very different and Simmons changes his style so drastically. While I cannot argue with the observation, I think the two books are very different and their goal is to tell very different stories. The first is an exploration of a small group of diverse characters learning about each other and the stange common threat that connects them, in a chaucer like group of short stories. The second, however, is a powerful adventure story about social evolution, science, and political intrigue.Different? Yes, but they compliment each other beautifully. If, like me, you were facinated by the universe Simmons created and the issues of how societies form that he explores, than I think you will enjoy reading this. Speaking only for myself, I cannot understand how any one who loved the first could dismiss the second, but you will have to find that out for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Hyperion Fell
Review: Hyperion was an inventive, deep and delightful read. I was blown away by the scope, depth and detail of this universe, and by the subtle but powerful literary allusions strewn throughout the book (Hyperion's structure is lifted from the Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and the poetry of Keats infuses the book with soul). The Fall of Hyperion lacks all of these qualities, going instead for a pay-by-the-word space opera. Simmons did maintain the integrity of some of his characters, but it's apparent that he decided against doing the heavy lifting of evolving, transforming and revealing the hidden depths of those characters, something we know he can do by reading the original novel. Instead, he provides a perfectly readable, interestingly plotted but ultimately unfulfilling sequel to one of the best novels of the decade. Read Hyperion. Skip the Fall.
Rating:
Summary: A great follow-up
Review: This answered all the questions that Hyperion asked. It may not be the style of Hyperion, but it was terrific.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely stunning!
Review: There's nothing I can say that hasn't been said already, so I can only say this: breathtaking! Both in scope, prose, imagination, and sheer audacity, this book leaves every other Sci -Fi book I've ever read in the DUST. Confusing? Yes. Hard to understand at times? Yes. Totally worth reading? Again--YES. "The Fall of Hyperion" is in every way a match for its forerunner, "Hyperion", and twice as satisfying. Definately a must-read.
Rating:
Summary: A Stepping Stone
Review: Simmon's Hyperion stands as the Canterbury Tales of science fiction. The space opera begun there continues in Fall of Hyperion. I enjoyed the book immensely, but was left somewhat unfulfilled at the end. Simmons returns to these characters in Endymion/Rise of Endymion which requires slugging through Endymion to reach Rise. The two middle books of this series are good books, but they are overshadowed by the series opener Hyperion and its conclusion, Rise of Endymion.
|
