A decent follow up to the excellent "Fires Upon thr Deep". Although set in the same universe, Vinge tackles a different aspect of a reality where the majority of mankind is trapped in a scientific and technological cage in a partitioned galaxy. The book only obliquely explores the reality of a species spread and separated across thousands of light years with only fraction of light speed travel to hand (though much more than in the previous book) - instead the primary focus is on interaction with a novel lesser developed species and a human civilization of slavery and tyranny. The writing is a times a little clunky, and there is a little bit too much melodrama for my tastes (with a few silly moments), with the overall feel more towards a feel-good space opera than hard sci-fi. But the ideas are there, and the space opera is fun and interesting so it does not hold the ideas back. The focus is much narrower in scope than Fires Upon the Deep (mainly one star system) but still maintains interest. Definitely a worthwhile read and worthy Hugo Award winner.