Received from NetGalley, thanks!

I quite enjoyed this little novella!  A sapphic mystery in space with monsters definitely worked for me!

Basically, a ragtag group of juniors (apprentice navigators, I guess? It’s a bit tough to explain the world and the various SF elements) are brought together by the powers that be to deal with a tangler that has escaped from the Hollow (to me this sounded almost like a pocket dimension, it’s not really explained).

Throughout the story there are things that don’t really make sense, how the tangler escaped, why it’s so big, etc, and when these questions are answered it’s revealed why this particular group was chosen to deal with it.

I know that it’s a short little book, but I did find it a bit tough to follow at times, because there are various elements that aren’t explained. You’re just dropped into this world and this is how it is. It mostly worked for me, except that I would have liked a bit more background.  It’s also possible that this book is set in an already established world of de Bodard’s, as she has an extensive backlist, most of which I haven’t read.

Overall, enjoyed it, and will probably seek out some more of de Bodard’s backlist.