THE RISE OF ENDYMION by DAN SIMMONS (Hyperion Cantos #4) | Sci-Fi Book Review

The epic Hyperion Cantos comes to a conclusion with its fourth and final book, The Rise of Endymion. Let me know how you would rank the books 1-4 or tell me if you're interested in picking up the series!

[@scifyry]

This final installment was a rollercoaster of emotions--more so than the other novels. I enjoyed the continued worldbuilding, the love story, and the culmination of the series.

[@WordsinTime]

Yes, I think it was quite philosophical and while it perhaps could have been a bit tighter I think it stuck the emotional landing!

[@dalejones4322]

Well I finally finished it. This was a great series. This book is as you described it. I figured out the ending towards the end of the book. Aenea's initial vague explanation of her whereabouts during the missing two years made me mad as they did Raul. It hung over the rest of the book and I couldn't get it out of my head. When I finally realized what would happen I was able to get back into the story. Then the ending happened and I have to admit it was disturbing. Not the graphic nature of it but the scenario. Their reunion, knowing it was limited and Aenea knowing what was to come, it was heart breaking and has hung with me. I found it weird that a book could affect me that way. I'm not an avid reader so I've never experienced this sense of sadness for a fictional character. Thanks for recommending this series. It was a truly amazing ride

[@WordsinTime]

That’s an awesome summary Dale, I had very similar emotional reactions to you! I’m glad you enjoyed the journey!

[@thatsci-firogue]

Finished it last night, loved the ending. The Cantos maybe 2 duologies but ultimately 1 big story. I immediately picked up Simmons' Historical-Fiction/Horror The Terror and am already 20% in and it's a very long book In terms of ranking them, bare in mind I love all of them: 4. Fall of Hyperion 3. Endymion 2. Rise of Endymion 1. Hyperion

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome! I’m not much of a horror reader but I’ve heard great things about The Terror so I might try it at some point. My rankings would be a bit different but they’re all great and I like each of them for different reasons!

[@jimmyfortuna-peak4639]

Just finished the series. Absolutely loved it and look forward to reading it again🏆 my ranking would be 4. Fall of Hyperion 3. Hyperion 2. Rise of Endymion 1. Endymion I don’t think the series is perfect but I’d definitely say it’s my favorite sci-fi series ever.

[@WordsinTime]

That’s awesome, I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the series so much! We have a slightly different ranking but I think it’s great that you loved the Endymion duology as I think it’s a little underrated by some readers. Thanks for the comment and welcome to the channel!

[@andyblake8768]

A very enriching series of books. Really captures imagination.

[@WordsinTime]

Agreed Andy! It’s only of my favourite sci-fi universes!

[@scifyry]

@@WordsinTime Same here! I'd say it's rivaled by the Foundation, Uplift, and Dune universes in its width of scope and narrative.

[@WordsinTime]

@@scifyry Yes, I agree that Hyperion is up there with Foundation and Dune. I haven’t read Uplift yet but I own a copy of Startide Rising and I’m looking forward to it!

[@hetschhog]

I have been loving the cantos books ever since reading them the first time shortly after they were published first. Just this year I revisited all four books and surprisingly this time I was a bit of annoyed by the Endymion books. I still like them, they are still outstanding Space Opera, but: I just couldn't stand the always repeating "... she said softly", and the overall cheesy lovestory. Aenea was just a big too much... perfect. And the Skrike was what I understand is the prototype of deus ex machina. Almist every time foreseeable, when the story came to a critical situation: Bam, there it was. Nevermind, Hyperion 5 Stars, The Fall of Hyperion 5+ Stars, Endymion 4 Stars, The Rise of Endymion 3 Stars.

[@WordsinTime]

I agree with some of your criticisms, but I’m glad you enjoyed the series overall, especially The Fall of Hyperion!

[@gunnargjermundsen3200]

Thanks for your thoughtful review! The philosophy in this book was spectacular. Aenea is truly a prophet for the 21st century, synthesizing Christianity and Buddhism, yet going beyond them.... For a lover of the Hyperion Cantos, you know of anything better out there in scifi you can recommend? Apart from Dune and Foundation of course...

[@WordsinTime]

Thanks for the support and your thoughtful comment! Aenea is a truly special character! Something that I am loving at the moment is the Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruocchio. If you like Hyperion and Dune, there are some elements in it that you might enjoy. If you’re interested, check out my review for the first book, Empire of Silence!

[@majorgrubert5887]

I feel this same as you do when it comes to pretty much everything you’ve mentioned. I listened to all four books on audible and I really enjoyed the second and third books the most. Book four is a little drawn out and seemed at times to make me impatient. Maybe I would have a different opinion if I read them. Anyways I agree with your review and I’m now going to listen to the first two books again. I have a job that is easy enough and allows me to enjoy listening to stories..😊 I never been excited to go to work before and now I am because it means it’s story time! 🤩🥳😎

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the series similarly as I did! It’s great that your job is flexible and allows you to listen to some audiobooks. I am currently working from home and I try to read a few chapters when I have a break. Thanks so much for your comment and welcome to the channel!

[@alexhindes3861]

Cant believe you listened to the books with all the easter egg content and references to classic literature/physics. Kudos if you grasped all of it but I had to read each book pretty slowly to make sure a captured the underlying messages throughout.

[@NunTheWiser]

About to start this one. Honestly a little worried because not going to lie, the first 250 or so pages of Endymion were a pretty big slog for me, but once it finally picked up I did enjoy it. So hearing you think this one could’ve been shorter has me a bit worried, but none the less I’ll go in with an open mind. Also, completely agree, Fall is the best. Easily. So incredible!

[@WordsinTime]

I’m glad you loved The Fall of Hyperion, it’s one of my favourite books. The Rise of Endymion is a bit slow and philosophical, but it has some interesting things to share. I hope you like it!

[@adamweisshaup]

Great review. Regarding Raul and Amea (however it's spelt) I was internally screaming by the 3rd ''Why can't you / won't you tell me!!!??" argument. Like, guy, she won't tell you. But I guess the book covers itself by constantly reminding the reader that he isn't the sharpest tool in the box despite having a photographic memory and advanced math skills.

[@WordsinTime]

Haha I felt the same way Adam!

[@adamweisshaup]

@@WordsinTime That and EVERY time he thinks of her or glances at her you get a page of how amazingly beautiful she is to him. I those instances might be a 10th of the book lol

[@tappajavittu]

This is the only Hyperion cantos book I've read only once, I was 11 and I'm pretty sure I just didn't get it. This review has inspired me to give a new chance to the Endymion books.

[@WordsinTime]

I was slightly disappointed as it wasn’t quite what I was expecting but I think I might enjoy it more on a re-read.

[@coldhardwick]

When you're talking about retcon and the techno core, I kinda like the idea of cannibalistic, parasitic AI. I agree, though, that it could have been setup better in Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion.

[@WordsinTime]

Yeah, it’s a good idea on its own. I just didn’t love the feeling that what we had been told previously was incorrect.

[@r_bear]

@@WordsinTimeI thought it was totally fair; the scope of the technocore is far beyond human understanding and they also have good reason to simplify and/or lie to people. It's fine by me if we learn that something we thought previously isn't quite right; I don't feel that it's a retcon since we're never given absolute truths to begin with.

[@smily2208]

Pissing in a canoe. wow its so good.

[@WordsinTime]

Is that something that happens in the book? I don't remember it but Raul does spend a lot of time in a canoe. I guess he'd have to go at some point.

[@smily2208]

I recommend the series as a audiobook in comparison to reading I've read this once and listen to twice and listening is just so much better.

[@WordsinTime]

@@smily2208 I’m glad to hear the audiobook is good!

[@robin_the_hooded]

@@WordsinTime Haha when he was falling forever on that gas giant world.

[@WordsinTime]

@@robin_the_hooded Oh yeah, that was a crazy scene!

[@coldhardwick]

One super annoying thing Dan Simmons does in this book is he says Bonsai Wood, like Bonsai is a species of tree. It is not. Bonsai is a style of tree care typically done with species like Juniper. I tried to find Simmons' contact info so I can send him a book on Bonsai lol.

[@WordsinTime]

I didn’t know that, and I guess neither did Simmons haha

[@bubzy3591]

Did you ever send him that book?