I usually enjoy Scalzi’s books, and this light, escapist space opera was great fun. The novel continues the Interdependency universe with another fast-moving political and military crisis. The story balances interstellar diplomacy, shifting alliances, and looming conflict without losing momentum.
The heroine is plucky and imperfect, which makes her easy to follow. She is cunning, clever, and skilled in the arts of war, but what sets her apart is her empathy for wildly different alien cultures. That quality gives the political maneuvering real weight. The plotting feels sharp and believable. The competing interests and shifting loyalties never collapse into confusion.
I was less convinced by the Obin and their “consciousness prosthesis.” Even though I am inclined to think consciousness is largely an illusion, the concept felt muddled rather than provocative.
The Consu are a frustrating and humorous part of the setting. Their arrogance, secrecy, and habit of withholding every scrap of information make them both infuriating and fascinating. Their arrogance and technology makes them a great antagonist.
This book is a smart, entertaining continuation of Scalzi’s Interdependency universe. 5/5 stars.
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