I enjoy the science fiction trope of individuals' possessing futuristic technology while attempting to assist a primitive society. Hamilton offers careful, well-presented political angles on this phenomenon. However, the society in this story is a depressing dystopia. The futuristic humans' attempting to rescue this civilization from the existential threat of "the fallers" provides a bleak narrative, as the protagonists seem incapable of navigating the local politics.
In this story, the planet Bienvenido is isolated from the rest of the Commonwealth and faces an infestation by "the fallers"—hostile shape-shifters that consume and replace human beings. A small group of high-tech astronauts from the Void must intervene, but they find themselves trapped between the alien threat and a suspicious, totalitarian human government. The struggle highlights the difficulty of applying advanced knowledge to a society defined by fear and oppression.
Despite the grim tone, I love the universe, the writing, the plot, and the vivid details. The strength of the world-building compensates for the frustrating political dynamics.
4/5 Stars.
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