I really connected with this series - I thought the scenarios were interesting, and the world building was cool. I that this enjoyed the reevaluation of assumptions. The thing that appealed to me about this book and the rest of the series is that it felt like just the right amount of tension and resolution, specifically for an anxious sort of reader that wants more of a (mostly) lighthearted adventure without an excess of constant gloom.

I think the relationship aspect felt a bit forced, but not enough to make me dislike the series.