This third book by Becky Chambers is set in the same universe as her others, a universe containing multiple sentient alien civilizations united in the Galactic Commons. Like the previous two, this book also introduces an entirely new set of characters, most of them humans living in the Exodus Fleet. The Fleet left Earth when it became clear that the planet could no longer support its population- after several generations of travel the Fleet entered GC territory and was eventually welcomed in. Many humans have now abandoned the Fleet, spreading to other wealthier regions of inhabited space, and the life of those left behind is strained by the availability of new technology and culture-clashes. The people in the Fleet are like people anywhere: all trying to do the best that they can. Chambers is not a writer of cliff-hangers or sharp plot twists. Her tales unfold at a deceptively gentle pace, and a reader has to be comfortable relaxing into the story to experience its full depth. Don't rush through this one. It's worth lingering over.