I've read thousands of books throughout my life, and I have a burning hope to read thousands more. I often make a joke that I'll have to live up to around 150 years old just to finish reading the books I already own. And that doesn't even take into account the new books I keep purchasing despite the lack of shelf space. Among the numerous books I've read, there have been many remarkable ones, some of which have truly transformed my perspective on the world. This series is emerging as one of the most memorable on my all-time list.

In this third book, we encounter an old friend, Martin Silenus. He is the only survivor (at least in this timeline) of the Shrike Pilgrimage and is now almost 1000 years old, thanks to anti-aging treatments. We also come across the Shrike again. However, ***********SPOILER ALERT***********, this time it is on "our" side.
We are also introduced to some wonderful new characters. Raul Endymion, a young man native to Hyperion and a former soldier, gets into trouble with the powers-that-be but is saved by Martin Silenus for a specific mission: to rescue Aenea, the young daughter of Brawne Lamia and the Keats cybrid, and protect her from being captured by the Pax and the Church, which have taken control of many of the former Web worlds. The entire storyline of the Pax and the new iteration, or perhaps I should say the new corruption, of the Catholic Church is truly fascinating, although it isn't fully explored in this book. I have a hunch that we'll learn more about it in book 4.
An android named A. Bettik also joins Raul and Aenea on their interstellar journey while they are being chased by Pax officer and priest, Father Captain Federico de Soya, and his special 3-man squad of Swiss Guards. A. Bettik is a rather elusive character; we never get to see from his point of view, and he doesn't disclose much about his background. However, we do get to see some of Father de Soya's point of view. He has been assigned by the Pope to capture Aenea, who allegedly poses a threat to the Church. Father de Soya is a wonderful and complex character, and it is hinted that we will learn a great deal more about him in book 4.
I loved this book just as much as the first two, and I'm starting immediately (well, as soon as I finish a bit of housework) on book 4, The Rise of Endymion. I'm certain it's going to be another thrilling adventure!

I wasn't anticipating this to be on par with Hyperion. When a writer crafts a classic, it's extremely rare for them to match its magnificence and originality. Endymion began splendidly. It provided all of the science fiction allure that I've come to anticipate from Dan Simmons. The plot was neatly connected to the other two books, and the entire concept of 'what message will she deliver' was captivating.

However, the more I read, the less I favored it. Around page 400, I started to feel bored. There are a couple of chapters dedicated to planet descriptions, traveling through tunnels, and interacting with a new race of people, which drained the vitality from my eagerness to care. The'message' that the girl is carrying isn't elucidated until near the end, which is too tardy because by then I was longing for the book to conclude. The main character, Raul, isn't the simplest person to like as he commences to become whiny and is overshadowed by Aenea. I would have preferred more from Father De Soya as his mission is more engaging than Raul's.

Somewhat disappointed, but I will still read Rise of Endymion.

Going into this reading experience, I continuously repeated to myself that this book was not Hyperion. I truly don't think I convinced myself until approximately the halfway mark. As a result of this initial mindset, I found myself engaged in what could be described as hate-reading. Normally, I take breaks between books in a series to prevent burnout, but in this case, I failed to do so. I was almost deliberately refusing to develop any affection for any of the characters and was actively despising the plot. (Don't misunderstand me; they/it could indeed be rather bland at times.) However, in some mysterious way, Simmons managed to draw me in and get me through it. In the end, it turned out to be an incredibly great read. I firmly believe that his philosophical themes are highly effective. I think his fictional world is one of the very best that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. And I also think that even his characters, despite their occasional stupidity and dullness, have a unique charm that makes you unable to help but love them. Subconsciously, I wanted to hate this book, but I simply couldn't.

What is lacking in the third book? Action is lacking. The main heroes travel through various star systems for several hundred pages only to engage in an unequal duel at the end. The previous books were more suspenseful.

Spoilers for the first books. Nearly three centuries after the events of the previous parts, humanity has plunged into a kind of Dark Ages. Artificial intelligence has been driven out, rapid travel between worlds is absent, the Outcasts have depopulated many planets, and the divided worlds are united by the Church, which has discovered the secret of eternal life. On Hyperion lives Raul Endymion. He has to save 12-year-old Aenea, whom the Church is hunting, believing that the girl will lead to the death of all humanity.

What was surprising? That there is an even stronger player hidden behind the artificial intelligence. That is, the idea of the previous books about there being another puppeteer behind each puppeteer is repeated. The idea of an unknown force is interesting only because it is truly unknown. But the repetition of the same idea over three books is hardly justifiable. Especially when considering how thick they are and that there is a fourth, the most voluminous one. And this reminds one of a carousel ride. I will continue reading just to find out how it all ends.

Depending on your perspective, Dan Simmons can be regarded as either an extraordinarily versatile or a highly inconsistent writer. After being inspired by The Canterbury Tales, Hyperion emerged, followed by the outright space opera Fall Of Hyperion. Then, in book three, Endymion, everything is scaled back, transforming into an interplanetary action-adventure story set across alien wildernesses. It remains a great deal of fun.

One more addition now. Simmons' works seem to constantly shift in style and genre, keeping readers on their toes. Some might appreciate this diversity, as it offers a wide range of reading experiences. Others, however, might prefer a more consistent approach from the author. Despite the differences in his novels, there is always something engaging and captivating about Simmons' writing. Whether it's the complex world-building, the well-developed characters, or the thrilling plotlines, there is no denying that Simmons has the ability to draw readers in and keep them hooked until the very end.

This was such a wild ride!

I absolutely loved it! When compared to the first two books in the Hyperion Cantos, this one had a much faster pace. It was significantly easier to read and was filled with thrilling moments that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I adored these characters. They were so full of heart and their friendships were truly touching. Even the Pax crew had their redeeming qualities and I found myself quite interested in them. I simply cannot wait to see what the future holds for all of them, especially Aenea and A. Bettik.

Heck, even the ship AI was a really cool character. I hope it makes an appearance in the next book, Rise of Endymion.

This installment of the Hyperion Cantos has left me eagerly anticipating the next one and I'm excited to see how the story continues to unfold.

Part of my 2020 Social Distancing Read-a-thon

This book earns a 3.5-star rating. It offers an interesting exploration into the nature of heroism. Raul, the protagonist, becomes a reluctant hero. He often finds himself plunged into various situations, sometimes quite literally, simply because he has been told that is his role. The question lingers: would he have engaged in all these actions without that subtle coercion? Perhaps he would.

I'm still somewhat surprised by the number of books set in the far future that still incorporate influential religions from Earth, particularly the Catholic Church. I have in mind "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell and "The Reality Dysfunction" by Peter F. Hamilton. However, I'm far more intrigued by the survival of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" in this future. It's an unexpected and fascinating element.

This book is number 358 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project, adding another interesting installment to my reading journey.

This quest story, set 300 years after the events of the much stronger “Hyperion” novels, was a bit of a letdown.

A trio of archetypical heroes flee from the pursuing elements of the tyrannical empire regime across several planets that are the familiar settings from the earlier novels.

It is interesting to read about the developments on those locations in the centuries following the events. However, it reminded me of the similar quest in Asimov’s “Foundation and Earth”. Here, most of the spots have reverted to wilderness, making it far less compelling.

The hero characters are also a bit two-dimensional, fitting very familiar character patterns. Aenea, “The Holy One” child, is mystically important and a threat to the authorities. Raul Endymion, “The Woodsman” guide, uses his street smarts and survivor skills to protect her. And A. Bettik, “The Man Friday”, loyally and capably serves both.

While the first two novels of Simmons’ Hyperion Cantos used multi-protagonist narrative threads effectively, this novel primarily sticks to just two - Raul Endymion and his chief pursuer, Father-Captain Federico de Soya. De Soya is an extremely sympathetic ‘villain’, earnestly carrying out his duty to his shadier superiors. I had a feeling that he would be redeemed and rehabilitated after the first few examples of his flawless moral behavior, despite his unsavory mission.

Most of the evocative tech and philosophical questions are in his portions of the novel, giving it a stronger grounding in Space Opera. Raul’s narrative, on the other hand, feels more rustic and terrestrial.

In the end, Endymion is a victim of the earlier novels’ success and ambition. Outside of their shadow, it might have been a great story, but as it is, it is merely a good one. It feels flatter compared to the earlier novels, with fewer character narratives, a more linear structure, and smaller-stake drama.

Dan Simmons' "Endymion" is the third installment in the Hyperion Cantos series. This captivating novel takes readers on a thrilling journey through a complex and richly imagined universe. The story follows the adventures of several characters as they face numerous challenges and mysteries. Simmons' writing is masterful, painting vivid pictures and creating a sense of wonder and excitement. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

The world-building in "Endymion" is truly remarkable. Simmons has crafted a detailed and immersive universe, complete with unique cultures, technologies, and landscapes. The characters are well-developed and engaging, each with their own motives and desires. The relationships between the characters add depth and complexity to the story, making it more than just a simple adventure.

Overall, "Endymion" is a must-read for fans of science fiction and epic storytelling. It combines elements of adventure, mystery, and romance to create a truly unforgettable reading experience. https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...

There are quite a number of reviews of "Endymion" that tend to stress that this book "is very different." With all due respect, I have to dissent. As is my custom, I aim to keep my review spoiler-free, which implies that I must be extremely vague about the reasons for my disagreement. So be it.

Yes, indeed there are distinct characters. The timeline of Endymion is approximately 250 - 300 years after "The Fall of Hyperion," so this should not come as a huge shock. What is a significant surprise, however, is that several characters from what we might call the first duology make a return. Some have a more prominent role, while others are merely mentioned, but the fact persists - it's not a complete upheaval.

Hyperion is familiar and exists. Other planets are familiar and exist. The enemies are familiar and exist. Heck, even The Shrike is familiar and exists. The style, the pacing, the different points of view - they all are familiar and exist. So, yes, I truly cannot assert that the book is very different.

As always, the better the book is, the less I have to say about it. And this book is extremely, extremely good. It held my attention firmly. I even read it while my beloved Juventus played a match, and that is a powerful statement, considering I simply don't miss Juve's matches without some very serious reasons. Okay, okay, I DID watch the first half, and the match was effectively over after that already, but still.

5* without any hesitation, and I'm eagerly anticipating finding out how it all concludes.

3.5 Stars

This story truly felt like "Catch Me If You Can" but set in the vastness of space.

Throughout the narrative, there were several really exciting parts. In particular, the finale was extremely gripping and had beautifully poignant writing that neatly tied up loose ends. However, it's a pity that Dan Simmons wasn't able to recapture the magic and essence that the original Hyperion book managed to bottle.

There are definitely high points in this installment. Looking back, it was quite an adventure, and I have a soft spot for our merry band of characters. But there were far too many long stretches where I found myself bored, mainly due to the hard sci-fi elements and the Para-catholic ruling body.

Nevertheless, I fully plan on finishing out the series. I'm genuinely curious about where our friends are headed next and am hoping that book 4 can carry forward some of the momentum that was present in certain parts of this one.

I'm eager to see how the story will unfold and what new challenges and adventures await our beloved characters.

This is the third volume of Hyperion Cantos, which can actually be regarded as a two-part story, with each part spanning two volumes. Therefore, this is the beginning of the second arc. I read it as part of the monthly reading for June 2024 in the Hugo & Nebula Awards: Best Novels group. It is interesting to note that this volume is the only one that received no nominations for SFF Awards except for the Locus Award (2nd place). The first volume won the Hugo and Locus Awards and was also nominated for the BSFA Award. The second volume was nominated for the Hugo and Nebula Awards and won the Locus and BSFA Awards. The final volume was nominated for the Hugo Award and won the Locus Award.

The book begins almost three centuries after the events of the second volume. There are new characters in a new world dominated by Pax, a version of the Catholic Church that can almost guarantee resurrection to its members using a parasite from Hyperion. This book is narrated as the memoir of Raul Endymion, a hunting guide from Hyperion, as he awaits his execution in a version of a Schrodinger’s box orbiting some planet.

He starts with his death sentence, but not the one he is currently under. He used to help rich tourists hunt, but when one of them killed his dog for not following the rules and warnings, it had a profound impact on Raul and the situation escalated until he killed the jerk in self-defense. He was quickly found guilty and sentenced, but instead of dying, he was smuggled to the Poet from the first duology. There, he receives a partner, a blue-skinned android named A. Bettik, a ship, and a mission – to protect Aenea, a twelve-year-old from the past, the daughter of detective Brawne Lamia and John Keats cybrid, and a new messiah if she is allowed to mature.

Most of the book follows the journey of Raul, Aenea, and A. Bettik along the River Tethys (as can be guessed from the cover, at least in some editions) as they are hunted down by Father Captain Federico de Soya and his team, who follow the orders of the Holy See to capture the girl, and if not possible, kill her.

Once again, it is a great story, with many veiled homages (I assume) to Foundation, Dune, and Riverworld: To Your Scattered Bodies Go/The Fabulous Riverboat, among others.