I picked this up because I had heard so many good things about this author and this book specifically. Reading the blurb it seemed like high-quality science fiction. And it is. What it does not tell you is that you are going to spend a large amount of time following the evolutionary advancements of a fucking tribe and planet of spiders. Spiders! (Shudder). I get it, it’s supposed to be about evolution after humans have destroyed their planet. But did it really have to be spiders!?!?

The sheer amount of research this must have taken on spiders and their socialization, breeding, reproduction, and colonies is staggering. Unfortunately the sections with the upgraded sentient spider population are exceptionally boring and dry. I found myself skimming to get back to the crew on Gilgamesh more often than not. 

It’s strictly middle of the road read for me. (Also still not happy about the spiders, evolutionary allegory or not.) I love the idea, but the execution gets a little too social commentary/ preachy for me to be fully immersed. I don’t think I’ll continue with the rest of the series.

Fucking spiders, man.