Rating: 
Summary: Endymion gives hope to Hyperion readers in withdrawal
Review: Like many people who have read Dan Simmon's output avidly over the years, I started with Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion. I admired and enjoyed his other, non science fiction works, but always regarded the Hyperion works as central. I resigned myself to the fact that they were complete, rereading them with enjoyment frequently, and painfully getting my brain round the dizzying perpectives and propositions.
And then along came Endymion; unlike many sequels, it adds significantly to the enjoyment and understanding of the rest of the series and extends the reader's interest and curiosity in the central Hyperion issue and theme - the nature and future of humanity and divinity.
I eagerly anticipate the next (concluding?) volume - nobody else creates worlds so credible in their technical propositions, or described with such brutal candour.
Rating:
Summary: A good read, but not equal to Hyperion
Review: Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion have, unfortunately for Endymion, have set the bar at a high level. Endymion doesn't quite reach the level of the first two books. It is a good read. I enjoyed the story. Yet I, with the exception of Father-Captain de Soya, felt that the characters were rather one dimensional or underdeveloped. Aenea is too much the "If you know what I know" prophet. Raul Endymion is the stock "normal guy" dragged into a great adventure. A. Bettik had unrealized potential as a character. Only Father-Captain de Soya intrested me as a character. I cared about him in the same way as the Consul, Father Dure, and Brawne Lamia in the first two books.
What saves Endymion is the scope of the universe Simmons creates. The descriptions of the worlds are facinating. A great work creates both characters that one cares for, and a world that feels alive. One out of two isn't bad.
Rating: 
Summary: Endymion is worth every penny
Review: I have come to the conclusion that we readers of great writing often develop our own individual expectations for what an author's subsequent works should be like and what time line should be followed for finishing them. I think we form these expectations based in large part on how our own needs were fulfilled by the previous work(s). When these desires are not met in subsequent novels we often react a little bit beyond what might be "objective," (if objectivity can legitimately be considered an attainable goal in a review). Compared to so much other stuff out there, I think Endymion ranks with the best. Perhaps Dan's story-telling speed or characters weren't the same as they were in his previous works, but does it have to be the same to make it as great a story? Personally, I think not. I like to accept the diamonds no matter how they're cut. Mr. Simmons stills takes me places I've never been, and does so masterfully. I hope he does so for a long time.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth reading, but not as enthralling as its predecessors.
Review: I consider Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion two of my all time favorite sci-fi books. Simmons fills these stories with wonderfully complex circumstances and brilliant characters carved from poetic bliss. Rarely in sci-fi does an author so skillfully explore the multiple avenues of politcal, social and religious arenas.
However, Endymion, while remaining a good read, is woefully unprepared to carry on the brilliant example illustrated in Simmon's previous explorations. Endymion is simple,almost lazy storytelling with characters that are perilously close to being boreing. Great story telling is propelled forward by great characters. Great characters are complex, flawed beings raging with adversity and duality. The only character who comes close to being interesting is Father Captain De Soya, everyone else in the book remains flat with the possible exception of the old, dying poet. The story itself seems to have problems as well, mainly that it's too long considering its simple subject matter. Simmons' meandering prose is tiresome at times and could have used a more disciplined hand in the editing process. Endymion could have been a much tighter story with the trimming away of at least seventy-five pages.
Dispite my criticism of Endymion it still remains entertaining. It's just that Hyperion and The Fall of Hyperion went beyond mere entertainment. Of course I still remain a fan of Simmons' work and eagerly await his next Hyperion installment.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the BEST ! A Master Piece !
Review: I always had the thought that sequels are usually worse than the first original idea. Dan Simmons has managed to prove me wrong twice in a row! Hyperion is definitely a "10" and I felt it was the Ultimate Science Fiction Experience reading the book. But the Fall of Hyperion is even BETTER! Endymion is even more Mind-Blowingingly wonderful and I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. I would like to thank Dan for writing such an amazing series. I'm disappointed that Fall of Hyperion did not win the Hugo award but I hope Endymion will win an award! I'm looking forward to the coming release of the Rise of Endymion. The Hyperion books is definitely in the same class as classics like the Foundation books. Better in fact
Rating:
Summary: A VERY STYLISH EPIC
Review: SIMMONS'S HYPERION SAGA WHICH INCLUDES THIS BOOK
IS ONE THE MOST GRIPPING PIECES OF SF WRITTEN TODAY. HE RETURNS US TO HIS UNIVERSE OF WONDERS
272 YEARS LATER TO TELLS US THE STORY OF RAUL ENDYMION THE RELUCTANT PROTECTOR OF A YOUNG GIRL
WHO WILL BE THE NEXT MESSIAH!
Rating:
Summary: A masterfully written story continues...
Review: I started out in the 1950s with Science Fiction and I have to rate Dan Simmons as one of the best weaver of stories I have ever written. I am dissappointed in the reviewers that feel the story is not leading anywhere. Books - all to quickly come to an end - and it is always with great enjoyment that I discover an Author who decides to continue a great story. The enjoyment is in the journey and the characters of Simmon's richness deserve a little time. Those who want fast plots should stick with TV
Rating:
Summary: Is there really only one more?
Review: There was nothing stopping me from buying this book when it came out. Hyperion, being my favorite story ever, had assured me of spending my money on anything else in this universe yet to come. However, expectations high, this book did not disappoint. The universe he imagined is what made this mark a nine, from an 8 I would have given it. It's the same thing, only 200 years later, and the determined chase through galaxies to follow a girl that could change everything is nicely written, though a little less poetic. I wonder if this has to do with Simmons or the tone of Raul, the protagonist's expression. Whatever the case, this book has MANY beautiful scenes and still holds the feeling of an ever closing fate on mankind. It's as if he is telling these stories after having been there, and is sitting in some room making us relive what has already happened. A good writer, that Simmons
Rating:
Summary: Even my husband, read this book.
Review: This continuation of the Hyperion series is another non-stop reader. My husband, who only reads computer magazines could not put this book down. While I do not usually read sci-fi with a horror twist, Mr. Simmons mixes the two genres with great success. The characters of this book take the reader though a myriad of emotions resulting in a roll-coaster ride of highs and lows. I look forward to the next book in this series
Rating:
Summary: Few answers and a lot more questions
Review: I was positively surprised to find a sequel to the wonderful Hyperion novels I have read just about a year ago for the first time. Endymion is well-written science-fiction, a book worth to be read. But there are still a lot of questions to be answered and a lot of things to be explained more in detail. So let's just hope it won't take too long to get the fourth volume :-) And some relevations about the shrike would be appreciated
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