This was a pretty big change to the normal story. It did feel like more of a standalone book, rather than book a 4. 
 I did enjoy it, I did give it 4 stars, but after the first 3 books, my expectations were very high. 
 Rather than a continuation of the crazy shit going down in space, we go planet side for a bit of a colonial first landing storyline. There really wasn't any stand out characters (apart from our usual team of hero's), although Murtry as annoying as he was by being completely inflexible was one of those characters you hate, but appreciate the effort in writing. I think this is what lost a star for me; I couldn't care less about any of the other cast, they did nothing to inspire any empathy or interest, except Elvie. Without doubt, my least liked female character I have read in a long while. Everytime she spoke, or even thought anything I cringed. Considering she was supposedly a brilliant scientist, on a new planet, most of her story was her school girl crush on Holden. Maybe a change in narrator made it worse, I don't know. But if I never hear from this character again, I will be most happy. She is definitely the JarJAr Binks of Expanse. 
 My other complaint was their seemed to be quite a high level of stupidity in this book. Given the characters were chosen because of their excellence in their field, ie Scientists and Engineers, they made some really, really bad decisions you usually associate with a lower pack mentality. 
 The Engineers particularly became dumb and almost hive mind like, which was opposing their individual brilliance for which they were picked for. I thought that when they were trying to shoot guns and calculate mass, parabola's, vectors etc for aiming it was great writing. Then..........well that would be a spoiler. 
 The story meandered for a while. But I have to say that the last third was great fun. Probably because we got back into space and had some space action. 
 I am still loving this series and I so much look forward to the next book. The team of Alex, Amos, Holden and Naomi are firm favourites of mine, can't wait to see what comes next.