I’m torn about this one. I thought Sam’s backstory was great and the progression of her relationship with Sessah was solid, and I adore his growth into a lovely giant cinnamon roll.

So what didn’t I like? Pretty much the whole plot with them finding the escape pod holding Praxiian Kvasaht. Our two heroes handled that situation so stupidly right from the start that it was painful to read. Early in the book, it’s established that there is 1) not only a whole SYSTEM for contacting Ashtar if someone is out and needs help but that 2) HE IS GOING TO CHECK ON THEM at the fruit cave. Why don’t they wave him down and get him to bring the pod to Mardok?? Furthermore, when the Icehome people came on the slavers ship, Vektal etc were so paranoid about possibly being tracked and discovered, they set the whole damn ship to explode. Why is no one thinking there could be a tracker or a distress beacon on Kvasaht’s escape pod? Or his ankle monitor?? And now we’re just not telling anyone that anything ever happened? So when people show up looking for this guy, they’re going to be in for a fun surprise.