Initially, I wanted this to be a traditional series following a central narrative around a core set of characters. Partway through the second book I gave up on this expectation and went along with the author. This book takes place on the fleet, a backwater in the universe with a strong culture and a disintegrating way of life. There are several point of view characters in different stages of life. They are all facing the question of why they are still in the fleet and what it means to them. The backdrop of this gentle and meditative plot line is the incredibly rich and complete world Becky Chambers is constructing. I love these books, the stories, and the world they explore.