I finished reading it over the weekend. Wow! I have never been shy about saying that I'm a Steve Jordan fan, but this was just a quantum leap (forgive the inevitable pun) from your other stuff! You have hit a stride with this book that I hope we see in your work for a good long time!
At first I was a little leary of trying to follow the multi-character approach, but I was able to visulaize each and every one clearly as soon as they were identified in their sub-plots.
And the science was believeable and understandable. The info-dumps which are the bane of existance for all hard SF writers were handled as well as I have ever seen. The long narratives were contextual and informative without being didactic.
Fortunately, being a humor writer, I don't have to come up with an explanation of techno-gizmos other than, "They're bugger all to get started on a cold morning..." And the open plot devices were not disappointing, but fit in nicely and show that there is a longer story arc that will be continued.
So, thank you thank you, thank you, Steve, and what are you doing reading this, get back to work on the sequel already!
