gifted by the publisher

Who has the right to artifacts? In this Indiana Jones-esque space heist, GRAIL raises intriguing questions of friendship, loyalty, and atonement following a struggling PhD student through the edge of space. I loved the cross-species friendship arc, reminiscent of stories by Becky Chambers and Andy Weir. The theme of "ethical heists" is another standout, prompting the readers to consider the ownership of cultural artifacts and how societies should deal with their past mistakes. The pacing isn't perfect. The jumps in the narrative between chapters sometimes seem unnatural, and the ending feels rushed—I wonder if it's a setup for sequels? I recommend GRAIL to readers who love topics of heists and friendships.