Not that books can’t be serious, but then it needs to tick other boxes, believable emotions for one.

One half is sped up to near speed of light, which pushes the plasma to the walls of the Way, sterilizing everything and fuse all doorways shut. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average.It is really a shame that the writing is so poor, because the concepts introduced here are fantastic.

As for the ending: I know that Bear had a sequel in mind, but that does not excuse the rather hurried and dissatisfying conclusion. But for my taste, I think the review still stands: characters that behave in a totally unbelievable manner and handwavium disguised as science. I honestly don't know enough math or physics to follow some of what he was talking about, but the basic ideas are pretty mind blowing, which is what good sci-fi should do.

The rescuers are intercepted when they near Axis City and reunited with Vasquez, who is caught up in the politics of the Hexamon. Actually, Bear's characters are developed fairly decently, but his best efforts come in his mind-expanding scientific/philosophical speculation.