Positives

I absolutely loved the world-building. The almost kind of pre-Warhammer 40k kind of society where religion and technology are extremely intertwined is fascinating. The idea that new discoveries in science will lead to bordering on ludicrous and superstitious requirements for new technology to work is fantastic.

I also really, really appreciate the author's obvious appreciation for his readers' intelligence by not over-explaining the mysteries of a future with, to begin with, an almost incomprehensible technology and society. The story is so much told from the inside of the characters for whom it is obvious what a box moth or a calendrical sword is.

Negatives

I felt too much of the book was military sci fi, my own reaction surprising me a bit (I thought I liked that more). Too much time was spent in the details of battle encounters, and too little in the arch plot of the Hexarchet political play.

I also would have appreciated a more parallel-lines approach to the storytelling. The correspondence from VH was great and very tounge-in-cheek, but I think the book would have benefitted from more viewpoints/subjects.

Overall: a fresh take on sci fi, great world-building and super-imaginative tech. 4/5.