In a post-Earth future, a far-flung group of star systems called the Interdependency is connected by the Flow, an interstellar pathway that no one quite understands. The worlds of the Interdependency utilize this shortcut through space to survive, trading goods across many light-years with the assistance of upper class familial trade guilds.

The Interdependency is about to be ruled by a new emperox, Cardenia Wu-Patrick, who grew up outside the cloistered world of the powerful. When she finds out that the Flow is beginning to collapse, she must determine how to take action to save as much of humanity as possible. Meanwhile, guild members fight for power and a physicist embarks on a journey to help the emperox.

John Scalzi writes accessibly and with charm. I feel, however, that this novel is largely forgettable- it features many characters with ranging interests, making it difficult to get attached to or sympathize with any of them. It's a light, quick read, and I enjoyed it, but I doubt that I'll rush to pick up its sequels.