Endymion

Nick Barlow reviewed Endymion by Dan Simmons

Fascinating universe, dull plot

2 stars

Content warning Some plot stuff, sexualisation of a minor

This starts with cresting an interesting universe, where the future the characters of the first part of the series has been twisted into a new malevolence. Like the Hegemony, we're shown gradually how monstrous (and corrupt at its heart) the Pax is, but the problem is the main plot is dull. Even with two strands going on, each becomes repetitive as everyone looks for someone to explain the bigger plot to them, until eventually something gets dropped in to set up a conclusion. And a final star knocked off for the really rather skeevy way Aenea's depicted, especially the whole "eleven year old girl telling a twenty seven year old man they're going to be lovers in the future" thing.

bookafnd reviewed Endymion by Dan Simmons

catholics in space

5 stars

I read Hyperion and the Fall of Hyperion a few years ago, and was a bit worried that I'd need to have them fresh in my mind going into this one. The events of the previous books are referenced quite a bit, but this book also takes place around 200 years later, so it sort of makes sense for me to only remember the original story in broad strokes.

It has the quality of, appropriately, epic poetry, due to its complicated setting, and very deliberate story beats (which also make it feel a bit like a fairy tale). If I have a criticism of the writing technically it's that sometimes the description felt overly detailed (I do prefer this to books which don't explain what's happening enough).

There's some stuff which felt Questionable. I think I want to read the next (and final) book before making up my mind …

I read Hyperion and the Fall of Hyperion a few years ago, and was a bit worried that I'd need to have them fresh in my mind going into this one. The events of the previous books are referenced quite a bit, but this book also takes place around 200 years later, so it sort of makes sense for me to only remember the original story in broad strokes.

It has the quality of, appropriately, epic poetry, due to its complicated setting, and very deliberate story beats (which also make it feel a bit like a fairy tale). If I have a criticism of the writing technically it's that sometimes the description felt overly detailed (I do prefer this to books which don't explain what's happening enough).

There's some stuff which felt Questionable. I think I want to read the next (and final) book before making up my mind on how I feel about that, though. Overall I had a good time reading it.

Löhwe 📚

rated it

April 30, 2018

smeir

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March 10, 2021

charli

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Jan. 2, 2023

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