Assessment:

Plot: Simington has crafted an engrossing space opera, well-paced and cleverly plotted with numerous surprising turns. The universe the book weaves is vast, richly detailed and authentic. The book features complete narrative arcs while effectively launching a series in its culmination.

Prose/Style: The writing flows nicely, gracefully blending exposition and dialogue. Action scenes are depicted vividly and imaginatively.

Originality: The book fits comfortably in the established science fiction genre, but does so with an original plot and characters that readers will attach to. The setting and scenario are well-conceived and depicted successfully.

Character/Execution: While certainly a book that favors plot over character, this work does do a praiseworthy job of creating and differentiating characters that can carry somewhat complicated narrative arcs of group politics.

Date Submitted: July 11, 2020