As an episodic work, it’s a bit more meandering than the others in the series, but also more intriguing in the balance, with more of an opportunity to focus on character. There’s an interlude with Hart Schmidt (an interstellar diplomat) spending some time among family that creates an interesting slice of life. The larger universe has been established so thoroughly that it provides this sort of opportunity for a deeper exploration of certain facets farther from the spaceships and laser battles.