Okay, so I liked this book. I'm not going to say I didn't enjoy it or that it wasn't entertaining. But... I have so many questions, and there are so many events and characters that irritated me. 

First, where is this planet in the universe? Is it in the Milky Way? If not, do all the gates lead to different galaxies as well as habital systems? You could learn so much just by looking. It would extend the boundaries of the observable universe. That is no small thing. I believe it should have been addressed. 

Next, Elvi and Murtry bother me. Watching Elvi hardcore crush and then snap out of it after getting laid was cringe. Murtry was a good bad guy, but I just needed him to have better motivation. I also wish we had witnessed more fight between him and Amos. I feel like Murtry is exactly what Amos wants to avoid being. So, I think it would have been more cathartic if they had it out without Holden around. Murtry shooting Amos in the back doesn't count. 

Finally, if a corporation really did lay claim to a planet. They would send more than one ship. Even at the end, they talk about over a thousand ships heading to the ring. How was no one already halfway there by the time Holden and his crew get to the planet? Might not have changed anything, but it would have been more believable. Actually, what would have been more believable is if there were incidents like this happening in a dozen gates all at the same time.

These are only a few of the objections rattling around in my brain. Nothing that affects my enjoyment, but they're there. Hope I can keep that enjoyment as the series progresses.