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The rise of Endymion -
Dan Simmons.
Publisher description
Sample text
New York : Bantam Books, 1997.
579 p. ; 24 cm.
Reviews:
- Bonnie Kunzel (VOYA, October 1998 (Vol. 21, No. 4))
Simmons received the Hugo for his first science fiction novel, Hyperion (Bantam Spectra, 1990), where he introduced the Shrike, a monster whose destiny is intertwined with the fate of mankind. This novel's cliffhanger ending was followed immediately by The Fall of Hyperion (Bantam Spectra, 1991). Some of the characters introduced in those two novels reappeared in Endymion (Bantam Spectra, 1996/VOYA June 1996), and now in its sequel. The high quality writing is apparent throughout this challenging, complex, and immensely rewarding quartet. In this final volume in the Hyperion saga (to date), questions are answered, characters find themselves, and there's even a happy ending--of sorts. The story opens with the death and resurrection of the Pope, a man dedicated to protecting the status quo at all costs, even if it means a religious war. Aenea, the Messiah rescued by Raul Endymion in Endymion is now sixteen. Raul, thirty-two, is in love with Aenea but must leave her to search for their abandoned spaceship. He leaves Old Earth in a kayak, floating down the River Tethys and across a number of worlds in his search for the Consul's spaceship, using whatever Farcaster Portals are still in operation to expedite his quest. The deadly Nemes and her clone siblings are still searching for Aenea, with orders from the TechnoCore to kill her and any of her "disciples" who get in the way. Aenea's death warrant was signed by the Catholic Church when it was discovered that her blood could destroy their cruciforms that enable them to die and be reborn. The cruciforms were designed by the TechnoCore for its own plans, and they are also trying to kill the girl. The PAX, the militant arm of the church, believes Aenea's special ability will result in the destruction of the human species but Aenea knows that she is actually an agent of salvation. By the time Raul has found the ship and rendezvoused with Aenea, she has aged five years to his few months and is ready to return his love, and the two share a brief but idyllic time together. When the Church finds them, they flee again, with the help of the Shrike. In the end Aenea meets the destiny she has foreseen and is brutally tortured and killed by the PAX/Core, while Raul is sent into space in a small box with a vial of poison gas ready to go off at any moment. He has been in this box throughout both volumes, writing a detailed account of his mission to protect Aenea while waiting to die, but before it is too late, he discovers how to use Aenea's final gift and teleports to freedom. This is brilliant, thought-provoking science fiction that transcends the genre in an intense but imminently satisfying read. I would be pleased to visit the Hyperion universe again and again. Fans of the previous books have already been waiting for this one. Those new to the world of Hyperion are provided with sufficient background information to follow the narrative, but to get the full impact they should start with Hyperion. VOYA CODES: 5Q 4P S (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Broad general YA appeal; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 1997, Bantam Spectra, 592p., $23.95. Ages 15 to 18. Series:
- A Bantam spectra book
Subjects:
- Science fiction.
| Language | Call Number | LCCN | Dewey Decimal | ISBN/ISSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (eng) | PS3569.I47292 R5 1997 |
97005658 |
813/.54 |
055310652X 9780553106527 |