meghadutam's review against another edition
5.0
What an extraordinary series. All 4 of these oops go on my “must read again” pile.
jakegreen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
willbybee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.25
funeralthirst666's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.5
peopleschamp305's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
enbyglitch's review against another edition
5.0
Crying is really, utterly disgusting huh?
I truly don't know where to begin on this one.
If you're reading this review because you wonder whether to start, continue, or finish the series; ABSOLUTELY DO. My. God.
I guess based on that statement, I'll go over the good/great/incredible things first:
- This is the most beautiful romance story I've ever read. Granted I've rarely if ever dipped into that genre properly, but Holy Shit this story...
- This story recaptures, expands upon, and concludes the deep spiritual tone and journey that made the first book so damn unforgettable
- It manages to provide (much needed and deeply emotional) closure on so much in the series, while also leaving the future open to the reader(s)' imagination and interpretation
- MOST IMPORTANTLY: It clearly and proudly states a message about the importance of harmony and evolution, of the importance in connecting with those we love, and within those and exceeding them, the profound importance of always checking in with our beliefs and ideals: reaffirming or reconsidering as necessary, but doing so consciously so as not to lose ourselves in the chaotic sea that is this life. Or, as the book wonderfully puts it: Choose Again.
Where does the book fail?
- The simple fact is that Simmons clearly had one plan in mind when he wrote the first two books, another plan for the third, and another slightly different plan for the conclusion. A couple dozen pages or more of this lengthy book are dedicated to a futile attempt at bringing these widely diverging plots together, but I wonder if some of it does more harm than good. I would honestly pay someone $50 if they could convince me that there is any logical sense to be found with regard to some of these characters' journeys, let alone the supposed overarching conflict of the whole series.
- It took me a lot of time and effort to make it through the first 70% of this book. While reading there were a few passages that I felt utterly unnecessary (minor spoilers: love scenes and the first scenes on T'ien Shan), but upon finishing the book I can see the role they played. Perhaps this book should have been split in two, but I did end up managing to reach the end so who knows.
That being said, I think the series as a whole is 100% worth it. As you'll see in my previous reviews:
- Hyperion is a deeply spiritual and mysterious journey that gives a breathtaking new perspective on what is possibly in SF
- The Fall of Hyperion is a high tension thrill ride that answers many of the questions presented in its predecessor while opening up vast new questions of its own
- Endymion, while the low point of the series in my opinion, works alongside the first two thirds of the finale to set up a deeply profound and emotional conclusion to the series.
I'll be thinking about this one for a long damn time. Thanks M. Simmons and M. Keats for the ride <3.
I truly don't know where to begin on this one.
If you're reading this review because you wonder whether to start, continue, or finish the series; ABSOLUTELY DO. My. God.
I guess based on that statement, I'll go over the good/great/incredible things first:
- This is the most beautiful romance story I've ever read. Granted I've rarely if ever dipped into that genre properly, but Holy Shit this story...
- This story recaptures, expands upon, and concludes the deep spiritual tone and journey that made the first book so damn unforgettable
- It manages to provide (much needed and deeply emotional) closure on so much in the series, while also leaving the future open to the reader(s)' imagination and interpretation
- MOST IMPORTANTLY: It clearly and proudly states a message about the importance of harmony and evolution, of the importance in connecting with those we love, and within those and exceeding them, the profound importance of always checking in with our beliefs and ideals: reaffirming or reconsidering as necessary, but doing so consciously so as not to lose ourselves in the chaotic sea that is this life. Or, as the book wonderfully puts it: Choose Again.
Where does the book fail?
- The simple fact is that Simmons clearly had one plan in mind when he wrote the first two books, another plan for the third, and another slightly different plan for the conclusion. A couple dozen pages or more of this lengthy book are dedicated to a futile attempt at bringing these widely diverging plots together, but I wonder if some of it does more harm than good. I would honestly pay someone $50 if they could convince me that there is any logical sense to be found with regard to some of these characters' journeys, let alone the supposed overarching conflict of the whole series.
- It took me a lot of time and effort to make it through the first 70% of this book. While reading there were a few passages that I felt utterly unnecessary (minor spoilers: love scenes and the first scenes on T'ien Shan), but upon finishing the book I can see the role they played. Perhaps this book should have been split in two, but I did end up managing to reach the end so who knows.
That being said, I think the series as a whole is 100% worth it. As you'll see in my previous reviews:
- Hyperion is a deeply spiritual and mysterious journey that gives a breathtaking new perspective on what is possibly in SF
- The Fall of Hyperion is a high tension thrill ride that answers many of the questions presented in its predecessor while opening up vast new questions of its own
- Endymion, while the low point of the series in my opinion, works alongside the first two thirds of the finale to set up a deeply profound and emotional conclusion to the series.
I'll be thinking about this one for a long damn time. Thanks M. Simmons and M. Keats for the ride <3.
kepheus's review against another edition
2.0
This isn't so much about the rise of M. Endymion as it is about wanting to throw him out the window as the most clueless protagonist on walkabout ever. A grossly disappointing ending to an otherwise enjoyable series.
christensen5's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
jjw's review against another edition
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0