More enjoyable than the first instalment. Lots of payoff, a better approach to “aliens” and communication/language/interactions, and all around more inclusive than most stuff in the genre. If you liked the first one, I would think you’d like this at least as much as the first one. It was more interesting to me because there’s far more worldbuilding and some more questions answered.

Also the narration on audible is fantastic. Far and above what you generally end up getting, imo.