A while ago a friend of mine recommended this book to me. When I finally picked it up, I saw who the author was, Kevin J. Anderson. I immediately became skeptical due to the fact that I've attempted without success to read his poor excuse of a prequel of the Dune series multiple times and put it back down unfinished each time being disappointed in it. I have also read a Dresden Files short story that Kevin J. Anderson had a part in and it was among my least favorite Dresden stories. But I trust this friend's taste in books so I decided to give it a shot.

The first half of this book is just painful. Granted it is mostly set-up to get us used to the characters, the roles they play in the story, the politics within the spiral arm, the important resources, etc. As far as introductions go, this was simply drudgery. As the story continued, it did get steadily better and I certainly enjoyed the final part of the book. If only the rest of the book was like the end.

I was warned this might happen though and am told it gets much better as the saga continues, so I will be giving the second book a try.