The brilliance of this book (and the whole series) is the world-building and the differences between species. 
 We've all read sci-fi books, or books with Aliens, but few of them really showcase those differences as brilliantly as this one does. Here we have a completely different alien culture, whose society and language is completely different from our own that misunderstandings and differences of opinion and ideologies are bound to occur. 
 (view spoiler)[One very basic one is the concept of rape. The Rownt have no translation for it. Partially because they do not partake in sex for pleasure, and partially because the manner in which a female extracts genetic material from a male for the purpose of laying eggs would, by human definition, be considered aggressive at best, rape at worst. (hide spoiler)] 
 This novel is the start of Liam's journey as the palteia of Ondry, and all the changes that it brings, for both of them. 
 You've got to love a book that includes this little gem: 
 There was something to be said for having someone like you so much they chained you to a wall.