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A review by manatad
The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this novel. Hyperion felt so unique that I didn't think its sequel would be able to match it, but it turns out that I liked The Fall of Hyperion even more.
The two books are very different. Compared to the previous novel, this one has a much larger focus on the plot and setting rather than the characters and their backgrounds. It is therefore much more linear and reads like a typical novel with multiple points of view. As a result, the characters do not feel quite as distinct as before, but the universe they live in feels much more rich. I would say that the overall tone of the story is less mysterious and more action-packed.
There is a notable amount of padding in this book which serves to remind you of events from the previous novel. This might feel tedious and unnecessary if you were to start reading this book immediately after finishing the previous one.
What surprised me even more than my enjoyment of this novel was how emotional it made me. I shed tears and I laughed out loud. Any book that can make me do both of those things counts as a great one in my mind.
I didn't have the intention of moving on to read Endymion before I started this book, but I am considering it now. It doesn't feel like it is necessary to continue the series, but I've fallen in love with the worlds of the Hyperion Cantos and would really like to immerse myself in it again at some point in the future.
The two books are very different. Compared to the previous novel, this one has a much larger focus on the plot and setting rather than the characters and their backgrounds. It is therefore much more linear and reads like a typical novel with multiple points of view. As a result, the characters do not feel quite as distinct as before, but the universe they live in feels much more rich. I would say that the overall tone of the story is less mysterious and more action-packed.
There is a notable amount of padding in this book which serves to remind you of events from the previous novel. This might feel tedious and unnecessary if you were to start reading this book immediately after finishing the previous one.
What surprised me even more than my enjoyment of this novel was how emotional it made me. I shed tears and I laughed out loud. Any book that can make me do both of those things counts as a great one in my mind.
I didn't have the intention of moving on to read Endymion before I started this book, but I am considering it now. It doesn't feel like it is necessary to continue the series, but I've fallen in love with the worlds of the Hyperion Cantos and would really like to immerse myself in it again at some point in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: War and Body horror
Minor: Alcohol and Pregnancy