A review by goldandsalt
Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks

2.0

Meh. A page-turner, to be sure. Couldn't put it down. But also full of a lot of what I thought were extraneous side plots and sensationalism. I mean, sci-fi is wacky enough - do you really need to jazz it up with a plot-irrelevant cannibal prophet?

If you want sentient AI, read Ancillary Justice. If you want easy, adrenaline-fueled space opera, maybe try Leviathan Wakes. Or, for a space opera with a little more fun mind-bendyness, try A Fire Upon the Deep. If you want politics, C.J. Cherryh is your gal. This book attempts all of that but imo doesn't nail any of them.