As with other books I've read by Iain M Banks, the theme is about human nature, it's suffering and in this particular case, war, and a distinct possibility that it might be self-inflicted, to keep the turning-wheels of civilization from rusting. The book is literary without pretentious, highly imaginative without bogging-down on the details and the characters distinct with their personal motivations.
'Two threads that takes place in different timelines growing towards a stunning conclusion' - sounds very similar to Use of Weapons, but this time the emphasis is on a facet of our personal struggles and the hollowed path of degenerating-helix that is PTSD. 'Dedicated to gulf war veterans' reads the first page, and I knew broadly what the book would be about.
LOVED IT.