An impressive conclusion to the first arc of the Hyperion Cantos. Simmons manages a real tour-de-force with this series. It is complicated, long, deep and yet entertaining and coherent all the way.

He connects all the dots with a scary efficiency and yet manages to avoid storytelling traps and shortcuts. Everything feels earned, the characters have to work a lot to achieve what they need to do. And us, the reader, carry some of the weight too.

I cannot praise enough how much I like this world. Simmons has created something that is definitely science-fiction, but with a hint of fantastic and horror, just enough to keep you on your toes.

Is this sequel as good as Hyperion? Maybe not because it lacks the novelty, but is is certainly a necessary read if you have read Hyperion and it won’t bore you in anyway. Some parts of of are action packed, others are slow and deep, funny and gut-wrenching. On to reading Endymion soon!