although was there enough foreshadowing of the coming machina? I'd have to review. It did feel cut short; which is, in a way, a compliment, as his story telling is entertaining; yet I always hate to turn the last page on good characters and a plot with a fine weave.

Enjoyed it.

I know this was his last contractual novel with this publisher. Maybe that's it. Whereas the Hyperion novels went a wee bit too long, perhaps this went a wee bit short? Both should have been trilogies, maybe?. What is it about the trilogy that works so well?

I was hampered by the time gap between my readings of Illium and Olympos. For me, it's hard to maintain the story arc with a huge time gap on a first reading. I need to immerse in a series. So, I may read it again, when I've some long travelling to do, which seems to be the best way for me to catch up on reading. I found the second reading of the Hyperion/Endymion series more enjoyable without having to wait for the next book.

In the meantime, I'm trying to cover some woeful gaps in my Science Fiction Experience by reading Asimov's Foundation and Empire, when I can.