The second half of the Hyperion duology directly picks up where the first book (rather abruptly) ended. But in addition to finishing the story of the pilgrimage, the story expands to include dramatic events beyond the planet of Hyperion, mostly narrated through the eyes of a cybrid recreation of early 19th century poet John Keats (who has been very inspirational for Simmons, right up to the naming of his books). It is a little sad that the focus shifts away from the pilgrims, and both the more metaphysical and the more artistically involved parts are a little less readily accessible than the first part was, but Simmons again posits interesting topics, mainly about the relationship between Creator, his Creatures, and the rest of Creation: What happens if the Creatures try to depose the Creator? How trustworthy are Artificial Intelligences once they become sentient? Should mankind in its expansion across the universe be allowed to reconstruct the natural environment according to its needs, thereby destroying other forms of life? Or should man adapt to new environments, evolving itself into something that may no longer be considered entirely human?