The Citadel of Weeping Pearls

I love the Xuya universe, but I think my idea of a narratively satisfying conclusion doesn't quite match up with Bodard's.

This was my first Xuya story, and it worked well as an introduction to the universe. While I wasn't particularly taken by this story, I'm super curious about the universe more broadly. Counting that as a win.

I can't recall if I gave the last de Bodard I read full marks, but I think I'm willing to round up on this and others for the universe that gets a little more rich and real with each story. Excellent world-building.