There is a lot to love in this book- an interesting concept, the seafaring, an intelligent , academic heroine who also enjoys casual sexy times with no shame... (Mad that we don't actually get to witness such acts though). It just felt like it all needed to be fleshed out a bit more. We gradually learn some things about this new world but it's more factual (names of countries, types of wildlife, elements of the legal system) than a true understanding of the culture or how things work, but then I am more of an emotional reader than a rational one. 
 I think this book will make for a stunning film and am looking forward to discovering any further growth by the author in subsequent novels.