THE FALL OF HYPERION by DAN SIMMONS (Hyperion Cantos #2) | Sci-Fi Book Review

In the second installment of our Hyperion Cantos series, I review The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons. Fans often love or hate this sequel and I definitely feel strongly about it, so let me know whether you agree or disagree!

[@Seven-Planets-Sci-Fi-Tuber]

I share your enthusiasm! And I consider these two books as one. They form a whole. Cannot read Hyperion without Fall. It would be a crime 🤔😂 Seven🚀

[@WordsinTime]

Yes! I think it’s crazy that some people think you can read Hyperion as a standalone haha. I found Fall to be so satisfying!

[@israfaeldari5532]

Just finished it I think Dan Simmons traveled from the future through time tombs to write this book He's not from this world, how did he achieve this epic writing in 1990? Its phenomenal, absolute phenomenal. Bravo 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@WordsinTime]

Haha yes, it’s wildly impressive! I’m glad you loved it too!

[@gyrick1]

Cheers, for making these reviews for the first 2 books in the Cantos. Our opinions on both of them are almost 100%, point by point. As a parent, and a father of a daughter, Sol's and Rachael's story hits especially hard for me. If my little girl (who is 12 yo at this time) became terminally ill, idk what I'd do, but I could see myself doing everything I could to help her, much like Sol did for Rachael. I honestly don't understand the "hate" (or whatever you'd call it) for this book. It's had a different narrative structure, and being different is good here. Who'd want more flashbacks and tales in a the second book in this series? I like how the events only span a few days here, and the shift in character POV is like seeing what's happening somewhere else at the same time. Has anyone made a timeline graph of the concurrent events in the books? Idk, but I do know I really like these books so far.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome Spencer, I’m glad you also connected with it! I haven’t seen a timeline as you mentioned, that would be interesting to take a look at!

[@andreamaronn4510]

I read these in the early 90s (I'm old), n I had the same reaction 2 Hyperion as u. I "liked" it, but it wasn't exactly what I expected n the non-ending left me feeling a bit deprived. Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion really do feel more like books "1A" n "1B" as u suggested. A re-reading of Hyperion b4 diving into Fall was a good investment 4 me. The Cantos remains in my top 5 sci fi series of all time. ❤️

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome to hear Andrea! I’m glad you enjoyed the series as much as I did. I think the sequels are a little underrated!

[@andreamaronn4510]

@@WordsinTime I agree.

[@mattcampea2482]

Just finished this book and loved it! But I always had this feeling that Dan Simmons gave himself such a big world to craft that he couldn't tie everything up well. I 1000% agree that Sol's arc was the best in both of the first two books, but a lot of the other characters have a really flat arc (mostly Kassad and Silenus, and i loved Kassad in Hyperion). I haven't read the Endymion duology so hopefully that ties things together a little better. Thank you for your work!

[@WordsinTime]

@@mattcampea2482 I’m glad you loved it too! The Endymion duology answers some questions but also makes some things more confusing because Simmons does some retconning. It’s a continuation, but also a somewhat separate duology. I hope you like it!

[@mattcampea2482]

​@@WordsinTime with such big concepts he discusses in FoH it makes sense why Simmons had to retcon 😂 hopefully it still makes some sense! Looking forward to it

[@amandac1388]

Great insights, if you’re saying this book personally changed you, I’m definitely gonna have to give this a read!!! Great review!!!

[@WordsinTime]

Thank you! The way it combines science and technology with love and empathy is amazing. Hope you enjoy the series!

[@cade4746]

bro i just finished the fall of hyperion, and im with you and i think TFOH is better than hyperion. even thoguh hyperion is a 10/10 but the fall of hyperion is... idk waht to say but i got me. and i agree with you the technoroe ,ai parts were amazing, blowme away. and i connected so much with the new character introduced such an emotional ride this. really excited to continue with the saga. thanks for the vid!

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome, I’m glad you also connected with it! Welcome to Team Fall haha

[@thesovereignpsiocrat5955]

I definetly agree with the idea of the Void that Binds being so influential, I felt changed as well after reading about it although for me it truly hit when reading the last book of the series.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome that it had a similar impact on you! I think it’s such a beautiful message. I enjoyed the story more in The Fall of Hyperion but the theme of empathy in the Rise of Endymion was so powerful as well!

[@tappajavittu]

I think it's a satisfying conclusion to the story, I wasn't a big fan of the Endymion books tbh. I really should read all the books again. I really love Simmons' handled AI in these books, technocore is such a fascinating faction. The void which binds with it's lions, tigers and bears lurking somewhere far away is so intriguing.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes! The TechnoCore was fascinating!

[@modernwarriorsystems7347]

I just feel like I can't not have the first book be your favorite, but Fall was really good I thought. I found I was looking a lot of it better. But the Bikura story in the first one gave me a feeling and atmosphere that I will always cherish and never forget. I loved it. But Fall is a very, very close second. I think people who don't like the Cantos as a whole, especially the second two, don't matched some of the philosophies and questions it's raising. Endymion was probably my least favorite. Once Nemes got introduced, I was wishing she/it was in the book from the beginning.

[@WordsinTime]

They are all quite different so I understand why people have different favourites but I think they work together quite well. *Spoiler* I thought the Nemes/Shrike fight was awesome!

[@modernwarriorsystems7347]

@@godofchaoskhorne5043 don't Be mad at me because you're just to stupid to understand them.

[@blahyoubleep]

This book and the Hyperion series had a powerful effect on me.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s great to hear Alex! This is one of my favourite books and one that had a huge impact on me as a reader and a person!

[@ulysespena6480]

I really liked the Fall of Hyperion. I found the techno core and the ultimate intelligence intriguing.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes! They were fascinating!