I liked it enough to ignore my family today to finish the second half. But it had multiple odd endings, and the plot seemed pretty contrived and transparent in places. His villains are cackling shallow stereotypes, but I've come to expect this. I still love the Tines and Vinge's insight into and treatment of alien characters, though. The Choir Internet was especially interesting. And I loved Screwfloss and Ritl. 3.5 stars, rounded up because it made me binge-read.