The characterization in this novel most closely resembles (to me) that of Brust, and the comparison is not favorable to McKillip. There are a lot of 'cool' characters here, with interesting mannerisms, the ability to complete each others' sentences, incredible (but taken completely for granted) talents, but the treatment of these characters is too thin for me to buy into it. I can handle Brust's conversations between Vlad and Loiosh since I have enjoyed watching that relationship carefully evolve over a long time. Not here. I couldn't find a reason to deeply care what happens.
That's not to say it is bad. It is unique and interesting. There are several interesting and unpredictable plot twists, but for each of those twists, there are two unnecessary implicit requests for suspension of disbelief (I can handle 2-3 such instances in an unlikely prison breakout, but there were ten times that many). For example, I don't want to read that there is a hallway lined with virtually invincible, indestructible robots unless I get to see them in action. Instead, I get the pristine hallway in one scene, then utter destruction of the robot guards in the next with nary a scratch on the character responsible. I didn't buy it, and it is hard for me to put a finger on exactly why not, but the bottom line is that this was a good read but not compelling. I can see why some would really like it, but I found it rather average.
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