Dan Simmons The Rise of Endymion

Multiple-award-winning science fiction master Dan Simmons concludes the renowned Hyperion Cantos with this magnificent 'full-blooded action novel' ( New York Times ). The time of reckoning has arrived. As a final genocidal Crusade threatens to enslave humanity forever, a new messiah has come of age. She is Aenea and she has undergone a strange apprenticeship to those known as the Others. Now her protector, Raul Endymion, one-time shepherd and convicted murderer, must help her deliver her startling message to her growing army of disciples. But first they must embark on a final spectacular mission to discover the underlying meaning of the universe itself. They have been followed on their journey by the mysterious Shrike - monster, angel, killing machine - who is about to reveal the long-held secret of its origin and purpose. And on the planet of Hyperion, where the story first began, the final revelation will be delivered - an apocalyptic message that unlocks the secrets of existence and the fate of humankind in the galaxy. Readers love Hyperion , where the story first began: ' One of the best epic, old mythology, and literature inspired, mindblowing, amazingly ingeniously written space operas ' Goodreads reviewer, 'The scope of imagination, wordplay, and critical analysis of humankind is astounding . . . this is a story-driven narrative , and the stories that we're given are well worth the entry into a brave, new, unfamiliar world ' Goodreads reviewer, ' Hyperion has that indescribable, almost Lovecraftian terror , dread and brooding present throughout' Goodreads reviewer, ' Combine the artful poetry of John Keats with a science fiction retelling of the Canterbury Tales . . . what you have is Hyperion . A masterpiece of literature ' Goodreads reviewer, ' A science fiction classic . . . If you count yourself a SF fan you need to read this. If you just want to read a damn good book this is also for you ' Goodreads reviewer,