Storyline: 4/5 
 Characters: 2/5 
 Writing Style: 2/5 
 World: 5/5 
 Hyperion neither follows immediately from the events in the Fall of Hyperion nor is it simply a novel set in the Hyperion universe - Simmons finds a spot right in between the two, and it was the perfect spot to continue on with the series. I was especially impressed with Simmons's attempts to turn plotholes from the first two into points of discussion or dialogue for his characters in Endymion. I've never read up on Simmons's writing habits, but I doubt he had planned this storyline when he had finished number two in the series. What this iteration has lost in style it makes up for in story progression. The first two are actually now better for the third. 
 A few elements nagged at me throughout. The novelty of slightly asynchronous chapters wore very quickly, and I came to dread having to reread the same scene or time period from a different perspective. Simmons had built up a reputation for his writing style with the Canterbury Tales-like short stories of the first two novels, and he tried something new here. The pacing and perspectives were not as good as the backstories in the first. Similarly, I wonder if Simmons felt he had to produce another 500 page or so novel. The chapters were starting to become formulaic; Simmons might have pushed it a little too far, but at least he finished the book before it became excessive. The series does also continue with that ultra-dense science fiction writing style full of technological and pseudo-scientific jargon. This novel is no more approachable for science fiction dabblers than are the others. Finally, Aenea bore no resemblance to an 11-year old girl. She could have been a really fascinating character given her background, but mostly Simmons pokes around, uncomfortably I might add, with the lines between platonic and romantic love.