Rating: 
Summary: A perfect sequel
Review: The Fall of Hyperion follows straight on from Hyperion, and does not disappoint those who were left gasping for more at the end of the first book.Probably more action-y than its predecessor, Fall is filled with shocks, scares, surprises, horrific destruction and terror, and disturbing revelations. The opening pages help to further establish the nihilistic society of the Hegemony, where artists organise coordinated suicides on several planets at once and citizens try to travel to war zones to see what war looks like. The Hyperion pilgrims' stories continue as they travel through space and even time, often with the assistance of the mysterious Shrike, which has become more of an ambiguous character - sometimes it is still a bloodthirsty killer, at others it seems to act as a sort of guide. Most of the questions posed in Hyperion are answered, together with some new ones. My favourite part of the book (and possibly the entire series) is the jaw-droppingly shocking climax, in which those in the know make a desperate attempt to save humankind from the dangerous artificial intelligences who are the true villains of the story. How do you fight an enemy who controls every communication band and interplanetary gateway and whose location is a complete mystery? I won't give anything away, but the conclusion is brought about through a terrible yet necessary decision. I personally would have been happy to see the series ended here, with most of the loose ends tied neatly up and only a few tantalizing mysteries left behind to puzzle over. This could have something to do with the fact that it's in Endymion, the third book, that continuity really does start to go straight out the window. Oh well, never mind.
Rating: 
Summary: Continuation of HYPERION retains the first book's strengths
Review: As interesting as HYPERION was, it certainly was only the setup for a larger story to come. THE FALL OF HYPERION deals with that larger plot, and is just as involving as the first book. THE FALL OF HYPERION is the story of the fall of galactic civlization in a three-way power struggle between humanity, its AI creations the TechnoCore, and a group of human outcasts, the Ousters, who have continued to evolve while the bulk of mankind stagnates under the Core's influence. Dan Simmons again breathe life into his world, and THE FALL OF HYPERION is certainly a book I would recommend to science-fiction fans.
Rating:
Summary: This is not a sequel but rather the next chapter.
Review: When I reached the end of Hyperion I sat in awe and then began to wonder. What happened to the Pilgrims? What happened the Hegemony? My god, where is the next chapter! I must know. The Fall of Hyperion could easily have been combined with Hyperion into one book. Without having read Hyperion this book will either infuriate you or make you stop in the first chapter and go out and buy Hyperion. For those who have read Hyperion then buying this book is not even something to decide on. It concludes the pilgrimage, explains the fall and enlightens you as to the Core's purpose, the Shrikes reasons and so much more. I don't want to say anymore except get Hyperion, read it and then make sure you have this book right next to you as you read the final page's. One final word is that Dan Simmons has proven to me that a sci-fi work can contain huge ideas and deep characters. I used to read sci-fi for the ideas, I cared little for the characters as they were but pawns presenting ideas. Now Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion have shown me that the characters can be and are even more important.
Rating:
Summary: Not on the same level as Hyperion...but good
Review: After reading Hyperion, I had no doubt whatsoever, that I would continue to read this series. Although not quite as engrossing as the original, this sequel is well worth your reading time. The problem may be getting past the first 160 pages or so. I was rather bored with it all and Mr. Simmons gave repetitive information that he'd already shared in the original. But then (after page 160) the book shifted into high gear and kept you there till the very end. It definitely ended better than the first novel.
Rating:
Summary: Number 2 of the best series ever written
Review: This second book of the Hyperion series is darker and full of much more action than the first. The first novel is almost entirely devoted to intense character development, and it is the first book that makes the second so incredible. Once the character foundations are laid, the second book, "The Fall of Hyperion", delivers page after page of building conflict. For those of you who enjoy lots of action in a sci-fi novel, this second book in the series delivers. It isn't merely some shoot-'em-up novel, it is the next dark phase in the evolution of a future universe that is as fascinating as it is frightening. Complex relationships between character sets are laid out in the second book. The TechnoCore, the collective of hyper-evolved and diversified AIs, is beginning to reveal its role in the destiny of mankind. As The Hegemony of Man finds itself in the middle of a conflict with its space-born brethern (the Ousters), the TechnoCore has been an uneasy ally during the initial battles. Soon, however, the clever tactics of the Ousters begin to overwhelm the Hegemony, and the TechnoCore suspiciously offers no explanation or support. The planet of Hyperion, its mysterious Time Tombs and its most terrifying resident, the Shrike, is the only undefined variable in this entire galactic war. All parties involved fear the planet and its unknown influence, and all parties fight for it. A galactic-wide battle ensues. The creative innovations set forth by Simmons will awe you. The first pages of this second book act in the same fashion that fishing bait entices unsuspecting aquatic creatures. You will sit down to read a few pages, and then you will consume the entire book within days. Finally, if you have read my review on the first book, Hyperion, I can only reinforce my declaration that I am the Shrike's biggest fan.
Rating:
Summary: A more "traditional" sci-fi book.
Review: With this book, Simmons has given the reader a book that is a more traditional sci-fi than the first in the series, HYPERION. His vivid character development and world building are still there, but his storytelling style isn't as experimental as in the first book. This book continues almost directly from HYPERION. The time frame picks up almost exactly from the end of the last book. However, the beginning jumps from the planet HYPERION and actually starts in the heart of the Hegemony. This allows the reader to get a closer look into how this world actually works. We are introduced to important players in this world that were only mentioned in the first book. Don't worry, the pilgrims are not forgotten...their stories are fully revealed by the end of the book. This book also explores more traditional themes of sci-fi. One of the big things is the interaction of humans and non-humans (the Ousters and the Core personalities). The conflict is at times subtle, but vivid nonetheless. Simmons gives us a deeper look at the relationship between the Hegemony and the Core itself. We even get to explore the landscape of the megasphere through the journey of one of the characters. Simmons does an amazing job of weaving his differing plotlines and bringing them together at the end for a very satisfying climax. His characters are vivid and interesting. I found myself rooting for some and hating others, but, most of all, it was their realistic interactions that made for interesting reading. All in all, this book left me anticipating the third installment in the epic, ENDYMION.
Rating:
Summary: Simmons at his best
Review: Damn best Sci-fi series EVER!
Rating:
Summary: The Fall of Hyperion
Review: I finished reading Hyperion and was overwhelmed at what I thought was the best SF book I have ever read, but last night in the early hours I finished The fall of Hyperion and never before have I found a second instalment equal or better than the first (Unlike 'The Nights Dawn Trilogy'), the characters continue their individual quest to find and face the Shrike, whilst the fate of mankind is being fought and decided by the politicians and the Ousters. However both collide in one of the most amazing and somewhat disturbing endings I have ever read. These 2 books are esential reading to both non SF fans and SF fans, and I cannot wait to start Endyminion as well as read up on Keats's work. Brilliant.
Rating:
Summary: a good sequel to "hyperion"
Review: "hyperion" was one of the few SCI-FI books, i read recently, that realy excite me. it wa different from any story i read before, but it ended without answering any question about all the misterious plots, and the "shrike" - a SCI-FI fredy kruger creature. the sequel answer all of this questions, and produce it's own heros - human heros, who fight againts the shrike. this book is mabee more philosophic then the first one. i must admit i didn't understand most of the mystic stuff about religions and gods, but most other issues were much more understandable. i think the ending was realy good, and this is a realy good ending for the "hyperion" book.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking
Review: The most exciting and wide ranging science fiction saga continues. Some things get better as they get bigger: witness the Hoover Dam. Some, of course, don't - Pamela Anderson's front-piece is a prime example. "The Fall of Hyperion" belongs to the former category. "Hyperion" is gob-smackingly good. If you ain't read it, do so now, or go to bed without any supper. Then, for a greater thrill, a greater ride through the staggering reaches of a brilliant man;s imagination... read "The Fall Of Hyperion". Dan Simmons is amazing. You don't win that many awards unless you are. How many actors have won five, ten Oscars? Because Dan Simmons has won that many - or at least their literary equivalents. Read "Hyperion" and its sequels, read "Carrion Comfort", read them all. And give thanks to your god that people like Dan Simmons exist.
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