I think everything about this book was SO INTERESTING. The complex universe and characters Chambers created was so detailed and unique, I literally couldn’t get enough. I would read non-fiction books aplenty set in this universe. I want ten book series about every side character. I just think the whole thing was so well done. I loved every character and their development and relationships. I loved a lot of the conversations that were had, thing about what it meant to be a person and worthy. The story was compelling and wonderfully written.

The one thing stopping me from giving this five stars happened right at the end. Ohan is a character who comes from a society that allows themselves to be infected with a virus that, although shortens their lifespans, gives them great knowledge. They see themselves as ‘plural’ and feel blessed that the virus chose them.

When a ‘cure’ is found there is an ethical dilemma of whether Ohan should take it, saving their life but going against their culture and beliefs, and they way it was handled rubbed me the wrong way. They completely refuse to take it, but one of the other characters goes against their wishes and forces them to, and there are no narrative consequences for this. It just feels like appraising taking away a disabled and religious minority’s free will, and I wasn’t a fan. There were characters who were against it, and argued that they should respect Ohan’s wishes and yelled at the character who didn’t, but the end result made it feel like the reader was supposed to be happy about the decision.

Still, this was a small conversation right at the end, and it was still left somewhat ambiguous, so it didn’t taint my overall enjoyment of the book too much. The sequel is ready to read.