This book was a lot of fun, and so well written. Much better in my opinion than The Martian, although it lacked an exciting ending. The book acknowledges its own anticlimactic nature, in fact, and hints at a thrilling sequel. I kind of hate it when books do that (especially when I know already that the sequel isn't as good as promised). Each book in a series should be complete on its own. 
 Still, I loved this. It was actually kind of nice to experience a wonderfully imaginative yet realistic space story that isn't catastrophic. It's just a very interesting exploration by well-rounded characters of an excitingly alien thing. I recommend it.