Sudden desire to read all of 2016's Nebula nominations, go? I purchased this book a while ago because it was on Nook sale, the premise intrigued, and it's Sci Fi with a female lead so, of course. Reading what's current in my favorite genres is always delightful, so I guess I shouldn't be as surprised as I am that I've become somewhat obsessed with reading all the current Nebula nominees (at least in novel and novella.) Since I had the good luck of already owning a copy of this novel, I started here. Ninefox Gambit was not what I expected. The setting felt totally over my head, yet I found it a highly compelling read. I'm used to Sci Fi that feels like our world but with some fancy advanced technologies that are either intuitive or explained, but the tech here was neither. For several chapters I wasn't sure if the civilization was even supposed to be made up of humans. Both the social structure and technology that make up the setting were tough to wrap my head around, but the picture eventually formed even if the workings of the technology still remain in the fuzz of "sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Meanwhile, Cheris was a character I immediately loved and wanted to spend time with. Her partnership with Jedao was the heart of this book for me, I loved their dynamic and the layers of trust and distrust, experiencing his manipulation and puzzling over his hidden motivations. The ending of the novel was awful and wonderful, so much pay off for the lead up, and promise of what's to come. I can't wait to read more.