Hyperion Cantos : 2 : The Fall of Hyperion product reviews

This book was a real mind-bender... as a follow-on from book 1 it managed to come out on top simply by being so jam-packed with action, intrigue, mystery and my favourite sci-fi plot-element... travel options through time AND space, in the forms of the farcasters, and a longer, more detailed look at how The Shrike moves through time, and the origins of both it, and the woman Moneta.

This book is hard to break down and summarise, due to the incredible number of main plot elements that interweave, and numerous sub-plots going on in the background. As well as continuing the rather revealing delves into each main character's history and reasons for being in on the last Shrike Pilgrimage, we get taken on a few scenic trips through time to find out what the Shrike's connection to the TechnoCore is, and we get taken right into the twisted heart of the AI's central secrets.

Without spoiling the story, it would be hard to go into too much more, but I can say that it seems AI's have become the children of humanity despite aspiring to loftier heights, and civil disputes can affect even the most abstract of entities, even to the point of hubris.

Overall, this was a real brain bender, and might be a little bit hard on non-technical adepts. It's almost a case of requiring at least University-grade understanding of quantum temporal dynamics and n-space geometry, with a sociolgy degree and at least a passing understanding of tactical politics... but if you are happy to just cruise along the surface of the main plot, you're still in for a thrilling rollercoaster ride of intrigue and dubious dealings between lifeforms. A stunning sequel, and a powerful part of a series as well.