Ivan C. Wiegand

Once you start, don't stop. Thoroughly satisfying!

Revisado: 07-17-12

What made the experience of listening to Hyperion the most enjoyable?

The mystery and the satisfying revelations.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hyperion?

Kassad's battle with the Shrike.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Martin Silenus, of course. He turns out to be the most interesting character in the whole series.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Very extreme. I laughed, cried, felt anger, sadness, elation, satisfaction and intellectual stimulation.

Any additional comments?

This is the first of a series of 4. The first two are an omnibus, meant to be read as one story. If you felt this first one is incomplete, that's because it is without the second book. Even the second book feels incomplete. The third and fourth are some of the most compelling, thought provoking and satisfying tales I have ever experienced. The first two books feel more like the back-story to the thrilling two part conclusion. The series is over 90 hours total. If you liked the first two, the next two (Endymion and The Rise of Endymion) will absolutely blow you away. Simmons leaves no loose ends, no unanswered questions, and no revelations unrevealed.

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Amazing. Solid. Satisfying.

Revisado: 07-17-12

If you could sum up The Rise of Endymion in three words, what would they be?

Amazing. Solid. Satisfying.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Shrike, of course. It's a terrifying, mysterious character that keeps you guessing as to it's purpose until very near the end. It's not even clear if the creature represents the interests of the protagonists or antagonists, or a 3rd, impartial party.

What about Victor Bevine’s performance did you like?

Victor Bevine is one of the best narrator's I've ever heard. It's not the voices, it's the delivery of the lines. It's like he understands the story as well as the author. I've heard narrators do great voices but even a spot-on accent can't compare to a properly delivered dialog. He is second only to the late Frank Muller.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are so many moving parts; so many revelations, tragedies and triumphs. It feels like it would be impossible to pick one moment. If I could pick a type of moment, it would have to be the reunions of characters that happen throughout the 4 books. A close second would be the appearances of the Shrike.

Any additional comments?

This review is meant to cover all 4 books in the series (Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, The Rise of Endymion.) While not completely necessary to understand the second two, reading the Hyperion omnibus roots you in the characters' struggles and makes all the events in the Endymion omnibus that much more meaningful. The main character in the series is the universe that Simmons created itself. Although you feel a deep connection to the characters, I find myself more attached to the story, events and settings as a whole, more than any one character. That may be because you end up caring about all the characters, even the ones that only appear in a few short sections. From reading the first two books, one definitely comes away with the feeling of an incomplete story and the narrator even hints that the fates of the characters in the first two books won't be revealed by his stating, "if you are reading this to find out the fates of the characters, you are reading this for the wrong reason." I won't give anything away but suffice it to say, there is no lack of satisfaction in any part of this amazing series. I have never read, watched or listened to a more complete, compelling, thought provoking, thrilling, intricately woven and solid tale in my life.

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