One part a book about ‘uplift’. The idea of taking a pre-sapient species and ‘uplifting’ them to join you on the galactic stage. And the idea that every alien species out there is part of a giant branching tree of uplifted species–except perhaps for those few we aren’t. Like… humanity?

One part a book about a spaceship that can survive a dive into the sun. Who knows what wild and crazy things will we find there?

Mr. Demwa, it appears that the Sun is haunted.

It’s a neat bit of worldbuilding and conflict–are we unique among the species of the galaxy? I like the conflict between feeling like we have to have been uplifted as well and a sort of human pride. I like the interactions between the human characters, those humanity has already uplifted, and the few aliens that are around. They do feel fairly alien, which is always something I appreciate.

But then, what were talking vegetables afraid of anyway?

On the negative side, it’s a 1980s sci-fi novel and it feels it at time. There are a few jarring moments, especially in treatment of women and mental health. There’s something interesting here, with the idea of probationary personalities, but it is still weird.

Any mel I know would grow a tail and wag it if that fem so much as whistled.

Still, onward to the rest of the series!