this was really good! but also a little heavy handed for me. i think if you’ve never thought about this concept before it’s a great book for kick starting that internal processing of our real world and how it functions and why it functions that way—who this system takes advantage of the most. parts of me wish this was a trilogy and things were more drawn out for character processing sake because it all felt so fast to do in one book. but another part of me is grateful it’s one book. the parallels to our world for the story were really well done. the sexism well placed and enraging. even the white guilt and white tears were well portrayed. and the religious passages for each chapter were CRAZY. would recommend!

i really liked this! I think that if i had found this at a slightly later time in the year this would be a 5 star for me, but i just came off of reading a lot of mystery adventure stories and my mind was geared up for something like that instead of something cozy. this book is a shockingly high sci fi in my opinion, but in a good way. you spend a lot of time learning about other species, seeing how everyone interacts with each other living in the galaxy through the crew and many other interactions. none of it feels non approachable or over done. it’s like a slice of life book for space exploration! i really liked all the characters, there were things to like and dislike and just enough questionable decisions from all of them that made them feel real, but also like good people. i really enjoyed seeing everyone’s interactions throughout the book. i don’t know why but colin stuck with me in particular, especially after the reveal regarding him and his actions with ohan at the end of the book (which i have conflicting feelings on still—but my happy ending soul is winning in terms of thinking it was the right choice… also maybe my anti cult soul). highly recommend, i think this would be a great fall or winter read when you want to be swept off your feet by a cozy sci fi.