The Fall of Hyperion

The second book in the series is ramping up the epicness. We get a glance at the technocore's AI-ecosystem, the religious factions and a few hints at how the story might grow to encompass much bigger scales (over both space and time). And of course, the final showdown at Hyperion. There is double crossing, spectacular losses, plenty of background story and some character development.

Simmons keeps throwing poetry at the reader, and I keep skipping it or skimming through it at a glance. The more interesting aspects are the way the ousters and the AI are presented, and the division in the hegemonic leadership. We keep following the pilgrims, but to me this was mostly interesting as a bridge from the the first book.