MICRO-REVIEW ARCHIVE LOG

RISE OF ENDYMION had me hooked from the get-go! I mean, I'd heard great things about Dan Simmons' Cantos series before diving in, but nothing prepared me for just how utterly engrossing this conclusion would be. From the opening pages, I was transported to a world that felt both familiar and yet completely alien - like a distant cousin who shares your DNA but has developed some seriously weird traits. Simmons' masterful storytelling weaves together threads of politics, philosophy, and interpersonal drama with ease, making it impossible not to get swept up in the midst of this sprawling, interconnected narrative. And let's talk about that conclusion! I won't give away any spoilers, but suffice it to say that RISE OF ENDYMION delivers on its promises and then some. It's a testament to Simmons' skill that he can tie together decades-worth of character development, plot threads, and themes in such a satisfying way - without feeling rushed or forced. If you're new to the series (or even if you're not!), I highly recommend diving into this quartet ASAP. Trust me when I say it's one of those rare cases where the hype is entirely justified - RISE OF ENDYMION truly is an absolute phenomenon!