My kind of fiction for sure, the sentients makes (mostly) logical choices and doing what they do best (being assholes about it) while keeping the humans alive and saving the day.

I guess it gets partially heavy in the action and combat scenes, the science part is soft and hand wavy but the quirky interactions is kinda funny and assholey, just the way I like it. Whatever traces there are of aliens is weird and not delved into, making them feel more mysterious and foreign when compared to bland, humanoid "trekkie aliens". The story reminds one of B-graded scifi shows, broadcasted on thursdays, and gives a hint of nostalgia (heh).

So far this has been the best book in the series even though the first book was a strong contender.