3.5 stars really. This installment is not quite as pulse quickening as the previous books in the series, but rather a slow crescendo. What at first seems more of a romance story than anything having to do with the awesome world building we are accustomed to in the Humanx-Commonwealth universe, the story suddenly takes turn half-way through and delivers the sense-of-wonder we science fiction fans crave, and in heaping portions. Much of this is in the form of exposition, but that does not detract from its effectiveness. It also seems to be an essential part of the story arc of the series. We fans of weird environments and strange encounters must have a little patience. As others have advised, these books are best read in order. Each volume (in the tradition of E.E. Doc Smith's far more naive Lensman series that came long before) seems to raise the bar for the series. Each tends to introduce larger and larger concepts of ancient artifacts and technological marvels, with larger and more dire menaces looming. It is hard to see how this can continue through several more volumes. If the gosh-wow sense of wonder gets any bigger, it will become impossible to describe. Yet I have six more books to go, if you count Bloodhype. I am interested to see how Foster will handle them.On a side note, I try to forgive Foster his repeated use of the word "irregardless." His imagination is what we are interested in. Besides, it's in the dictionary now. It does however yank me momentarily out of the story when it occurs.
In this book, Flinx returns to find ... his "Girl"; what's-er-name.I've forgotten her ... Clarity! It's a good book.
