Loved and can’t wait to read the next one. Such a great weave of science/politics/philosphy. I love the shift in perspective of seeing life from the Alien perspective. Reminded me of Flatland. And the amazing interface of science and politics, even the religious themes and commentary. The academic commentary. What lowers the rating for is that I think the last 3rd of the book is rush and could have been more fleshed out in the way the first half of the book was. We kind of rush through the messages and don’t really get much reflection except for maybe a few pages. I see how that could reserved for next book. But for me it was a departure from the great pacing and context offered through the 1st half.