Reviews

The Rise of Endymion by Dan Simmons

elvenrapier's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Reading this series felt like a true journey with the characters, especially the second half (books 3 and 4). I would say everything in the series makes it iconic: the characters, the style, the worlds we visit... The ending is unforgettable.

willand90's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

ct_hevy's review against another edition

3.25

Overall a decently satisfying conclusion to the saga. This has been a very fun series and I loved the world and the lore. The romance made me cringe so much though. All in all the first book was by far the best.

jmcs's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

whisperingdelirium's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional medium-paced

4.0

is_book_loring's review against another edition

3.0

"Only humankind struggles and fails in becoming what it is. The reasons are many and complex, but all stem from the fact that we have evolved as one of the self-seeing organs of the evolving universe. Can the eye see itself?"

The Rise of Endymion is indeed a rise in quality from the previous installment 'Endymion' in the series. The imaginative variety of planetary systems and races was awesome, their topography was explained well with vivid description. The worldbuilding is truly the strength of this series. The book has also returned to its previous weight on philosophy with pretty interesting points and theories. It was more action packed too, battle scenes executed well. Still, the pages could be cut at least a third, and the entire thing would be much more immersive and thrilling. Overall, The Rise of Endymion is a satisfying conclusion with all the story threads and pieces from earlier installments - including the old pilgrimage crew- neatly tied up.

"No lifetime is long enough for those who want to create, Raoul, or for those who simply want to understand themselves and their lives. It’s perhaps the curse of being human, but also a blessing."

book_nerd_1's review against another edition

The Hyperion Cantos is the most Dune thing I've read since Dune. So many complex ideas and such a rich world of new cultures and references to existing and ancient cultures.

bethanharcourt's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I had a problem with the age gap, I think knowing someone as an actual child and then becoming their 'lover' is creepy, even if the age gap between you shrinks. It just made me uncomfortable which was only amplified by Raul referring to Ahnea constantly as 'kiddo'. I also felt the endikg was too strongly hinted at, and so made it less impactful. I loved the very beginning with traversing through the different worlds, and the world building of T'ien Shan. 

mwplante's review against another edition

4.0

A worthy conclusion to the series. Certainly an improvement over the dip in quality that was Endymion. Perhaps the best of the four.

appleshoes's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75