The stories I care about most are the ones about people from disparate backgrounds forming some kind of community--imperfect though it may be--so obviously this was My Thing. Chambers writes with such affection about her characters while not ignoring their pain and the ways they'll never agree, and I appreciate that. Her view of people (human or otherwise) is that they're primarily good, but that goodness also takes a lot of work. I do feel that sometimes her dialogue is a bit didactic--although this has lessened as the series goes on with each book being stronger than the last--but that's perhaps just a particular quirk of mine. There's still something that keeps me from naming any of her books as all time favorites, and I can't put my finger on what it is, but I always enjoy them and find them rewarding.

In this one, I especially liked the idea that's present of just giving. Not barter, not even really exchange. Just giving what you can when you can. That fits very well with Chambers' overall vibe of generosity.

I'm really sad this series is over if only because I love this universe so much and would gladly read an endless amount of stories set within it. But I totally understand a writer wanting to do new things, and I'm looking forward to what Chambers does next.