This is extremely well written, but shows signs of being a really great short story or short novella that has been padded to novel length.

I really had the feeling that it was going to be one of those novels where in the end, nothing has happened.

BUT... that was not the case: in the last few chapters the pace picks way up and there is a lot of action.

Am I grumpy. Yes. Because of this novel? Not really, but it wasn't helping.

If you like alien artifacts, you will like this novel. If you like lost civilizations or lost human colonies you will like it (and saying that does NOT give the secret away).