This was a hard book for me to get through. In the end, I enjoyed it despite my earlier criticisms about the treatment of the female characters–especially since justice was given to the conclusions of their individual plots (and mostly without reference to romantic entanglements).
The biggest hurdle to finishing reading the story was the multiple point-of-views wherein much of the action was being described through the eyes of characters for whom the reader cares little. This happened especially nearer the latter third of the book, when it was important for suspense’s sake to hide information from the reader to which the heroes were privy. Some of these passages were quite long, and since I cared more about the characters who had actually been fleshed out emotionally during the earlier parts of the book, I found myself skimming through parts in which, for example, a military director is observing and directing the goings-on of her departments and peers.
I am unable to recall earlier clues pointing toward the final “reveal,” either because I skimmed or because the omniscient narrator chose to omit those details. It really warrants a further, closer reading or two, but I honestly don’t think I would have the patience for it. It was a good book; I’m glad I read it, but I doubt I’ll read it again.
I do, however, want to read its predecessor, A Fire Upon the Deep. I wonder if reading them out of order will decrease my enjoyment any, but I love science fiction and will give it a go.
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