This was a fun coming-of-age tale set in the standard space-opera universe. Our hero, Ishmael Wang, just orphaned, signs on as a mess hand on an interstellar freighter.

I found the writing good, the characters interesting, and the story believable, if the science a bit... well, fiction-y. Definitely suitable for younger readers, I think it has something to offer older readers as well.

As other reviewers have commented, this is a book about character development, not a high-action thriller. If you're looking for aliens or space-age combat, you'll be disappointed. But if you're looking for a good yarn about a young man coming to terms with unfortunate circumstances and making the best of himself, you've come to the right place.