Review

Fit together nicely. Different perspectives, enjoyable fantasy.

Very much a direct continuation of the first book, didn’t expand the world as much as I expected, but also didn’t feel like the first half of a story which was nice.

Satisfying conclusion, pulled some of the same tricks as the original on a grander scale, but ended the series on a good note. Worth reading this series to the finish.

The conceit got repetitive. It’s pretty rare that I get 90% through a book and am not motivated to finish.

Fun. Reminded me of all you need is kill, combined with Andy Weir.

Good fun. Feels like a similar tone to Andy Weir.

Not as good as I had hoped considering all the recommendations, but still interesting.

Great read. Some timeless lessons here about the ability of organizations to fool themselves, and small events leading to lasting consequences. This book is impressive in its ability to both zoom in , such as the chapter ’lives and limbs’, or Karzai’s deteriorating relationship with the US, and zoom out to reveal the 15 year ambling path of U.S. policy in the region.

Read this book to help run teams that are split across London and California. instead of any analysis for how to make remote work effective, I got cheerleading about how great remote work is and that everybody should do it. The book managed to convince me of the opposite, now my teams are going to be fully relocated to London.

I probably blasted through this too fast, but enjoyed it. I’ll be reading the series. I appreciated the commentary on translation, the first person AI perspective, and the gender ambiguity, although the empire felt too close to the Chronicles of Riddick, and the Presger seemed a lot like the Consu from Old Man’s War.