I read Gravity about a year and a half before tackling this sequel. I enjoyed Gravity, the first book in a trilogy about Ari Alexander and her alien (boy)friend, Jackson. Hover had been out for a while before I purchased it, though. At first it was because the publisher did not make the Kindle edition available in my region, and by the time they did I was no longer chomping at the bit to find out how Ari's adventures would play out. 
 By the time I got around to reading Hover my recollection of the events in Gravity was hazy at best. Melissa West did help me have a few lightbulb moments but I somehow still felt that something was missing. After I'd finished the book, I read on West's website that she'd originally intended this book to be about war, but rewrote it to be about our loved ones. That could be part of my issue as I didn't feel there was enough focus on the setting (the Ancients' planet), nor was I blown away by the Ari Alexander on show here. For example, one of the few remaining Ancient healers tells Ari that everyone can heal if only they know how. What does Ari do with this knowledge? Absolutely nothing. A couple of chapters later she decides that she wants to learn. A bit later again the need to learn is removed by the Ancient "sharing" her gift with Ari. It just didn't feel like Ari had her priorities straight, nor did it feel like she had to work to improve herself. 
 All of the tings from Gravity that had me questioning myself and society were gone. I kept hoping there's be a click and Hover would start working for me, but unfortunately it just didn't.