iann's Full Review: Dan Simmons - The Fall of Hyperion
Fall of Hyperion is more than a sequel to Hyperion, it is almost the second half of the same book. That said, the style of the book is very different. The narrative is no longer confined to the planet Hyperion, but focuses on events elsewhere in the galaxy. We still get to see what is happening to the original pilgrims, but they are almost an afterthought to the epic events building to war in the rest of the galaxy. Where Hyperion was almost entirely a description of the reasons for each pilgrim being on Hyperion, Fall of Hyperion follows the political and military events which surround their individual stories.
The characters from Hyperion are still intriguing. If you liked the original book, you will want to see their ultimate fates. I didn't find the newer characters as involving, perhaps they just appeared less significant against the larger landscape. There is considerably more action in Fall of Hyperion, with space battles and political wrangling, but somehow the intensity and amazement generated by the first book just wasn't there. The margin is slim, but I would be surprised if many people rated the sequel the better book.
The scale and imagination shown in the story is still magnificent, but given the incredible suspense and interest generated in the first book, Fall of Hyperion was a little disappointing, especially when read immediately following Hyperion. Once I adapted to the different style and pace it was a thoroughly enjoyable book, but not equal to the original. I wouldn't have missed knowing what happened to the pilgrims for the world, but following perfection is just asking for a letdown. Compared to anything other than Hyperion, this book would have rated 5 stars.
Dan Simmons is a phenomenal talent. Since the triumphant publication of his first novel, the multiple-award-winning author of The Hollow Man has demon...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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