I've gotta be honest: this book kind of swept me away. It was not at all what I was first expecting. It was exactly the kind of science fiction that Faber handles so well. I was nervous about the whole religion thing, for reasons that are my own, but it was handled so well that at certain points I myself was moved by the implementation of certain religious passages and the character who so strongly believed in them. 
 This may or may not be spoilery (no plot points, just a very broad character info), so I'm going to say it right after this: 
 The Oasians were such a beautiful, simple people. It hurt my fucking heart. God damn. I was on the verge of tears at points just because of their absolute innocence. 
 I have some issues with the ending. It felt very abrupt, but perhaps that was in line with the story? I was expecting not a little more resolve but any resolve at all, and there simply was none. But then, the whole story had neither a beginning or end, really, so perhaps that was in character. 
 Otherwise, this book was excellent. I was touched.