It Gets better.  Stay with it.
352364
I'm not that quick so parts get away frim me. But I'm getting better at it.  Interesting to do, and good for the mind exercise.
4748568
A middle book in a trilogy often has an uphill road to climb. It can't bring things to an entirely satisfying conclusion, and it doesn't get the benefit of novelty that the first book did. And, of course, that's even leaving aside the possibility that the author herself might get into a slump, unsure exactly where to go. It almost goes without saying that a middle book isn't as good. And, in all honesty, I did get that feeling from this book pretty strongly at first. I was still interested in the plot and what would happen, but I wasn't digging it quite as much. Yet, as the story went on, the feeling lessened and I was looking more and more forward to where it would go.

For me, the book's biggest strength is the continued detailing of an artificial intelligence that is not good or evil as we understand it, or even human, but something alien and yet mostly believable. That's a tricky but impressive feat, as is telling the story of how people deal with the situation, trying to destroy it, control it for their own ends, or just live with it. On the last point, Nagata also manages to navigate another potentially difficult scenario, a lead character who may well merely be a puppet for that entity. We see his thoughts and his decisions but are aware that he's manipulated and so any any time, he may simply be a tool. Yet I rooted for him all the same.

The book does have a little bit of a feel about being a series of missions rather than a coherent single story. They go from the trial, to another mission, to another one, with a story connecting them but not seeming to be the point. It's also a pretty action-heavy book, which normally is a negative in my book, but here it works for me.

I think, all in all, although it got better the more I read, I still liked it slightly less than the first book, maybe putting it somewhere in the 3.5-4 star range, but since I'm feeling generous today, I'll round it up to a 4. I'm really looking forward to the third book in the series and I am really glad Nagata's writing science fiction novels again, she's proving once again to be a strong voice in the field.
4193195
I have been a long time reader of Ms. Hamilton.  I agree that her earlier books had more plot, and less sex, but Ms. Hamilton did OK with this book.  Is it the same quality as her earlier works, no, but it is better.  Have any one of you tried to write a series, keep it fresh, but still have the characters stay...well, in character.  It is VERY difficult to write fresh, regardless of how much money is paid either by the publishing companies or the readers.  It is getting better, just hang in there.  This encouraging note is for both readers and author.
2618326
It was a bit of a slow start, but I am glad I stuck with it.
899291
After a few listens this really grows on you.
4278899
A little bit stiff in the beginning, but as I used it, it got better.
1628821
I started this book and almost gave it up about 1/3  of the way through.  It started to get better so I decided I would finish it.  I won't say it was the best I have read but the story grows on you.  It is sad in many parts, but everyone seems to come to terms with their past and their life in the present.
1334760
Interesting approach to writing a novel.  Gets better as it goes!
4395540
I've been watching for some time now.  I find it very slow......keep hoping it will get better.
1944058
It is a series worth reading. The end is better than the middle, so have some patience to get there.
4320513
It was very slow to start, but stick it out. It was drawn out and annoying for a while, then about chapter 10, everything changed. It was worth the read. Glad I didn't give up.
3426568
It start's out great - then ........... and at the end it gets good again !
4873806
While I'm not quite sure that it lived up to the hype that followed it, it certainly earned it. The story presented in this series is strong in how different it is. It's a slow moving, quiet, character drive period drama. Once you move past the differences and look at the series for what it is, you're still left with something above average.

  The characters and story are strong in their own ways. While the pacing and humor of the series will try the patience of everyone at some point, the romance and characters will keep you coming back. I can understand someone loving this series but I can also someone saying that they hated it. There is a middle ground though and even though I never found myself particularly attached to this series I was sad to see the first season end. I may not be counting down the days until I see the second season but I am at least left with wanting more.
242411
It is WORKING!!!! It takes time, but each day gets better!
623614
Starts slow.  I almost stopped.  But then began to understand the story and it got much better.  I'm glad I finished it.
4275238
Just read it! OK, its heavy in places and gets tedious but its worth it. I'm sleeping better, not as hungry and optimistic about success.
2437872
Enjoyable.  It starts off feeling like a lot of other stories/books/movies and then grows out of those roots and becomes greater then the sum of its parts.  I picked up the second book and will be reading it soon.