A good book that could have used a better editor. Sterling is brilliant at alien ecology, but occasionally schlocky at other things. He'll ellide key action sequences or spend pages setting up characters who disappear for the rest of the book. And his science has some holes, or at least fuzzy areas, particularly in the sudden, expository ending.However, he's created a gorgeous world: an ocean of dust swimming with fantastical creatures and surrounded by 70-mile-high cliffs. Particularly stunning is the grim bay that gets only an hour of sunlight a day and is full of groping, light-starved things. (Think "Poor Unfortunate Souls"). And who can resist a sea voyage with a mad captain? Or a doomed romance with a sexy bat lady?After this and Railsea, I'm becoming a devotee of Moby Dick SF. What else is there? Recommendations welcome!