I... don't really know how to review this. I went into this completely blind, having not read the synopsis since I bought it a few months ago. So I had no expectations and was intrigued enough to keep reading, so that should count for something. 
 However, I will say that when I was looking up some stats on this book after finishing it I was surprised that the page count was so low. This clocks in at under 300 pages and it certainly doesn't feel like it. It feels longer. And I'm not really sure if that's a good thing. 
 The tricky thing about this book is that so much time passes in so few pages. Several years, in fact. And I understand why that happened the way it did, but I think it distorted my perception about the length, for one thing. Also, it really carries a detached quality to the writing, which may or may not be the point. 
 There are some really interesting ideas at work here too. About survival, what it means to be human, how we treat others... And it's not like the big ideas fell flat for me, but more that they just didn't quite get there. I wanted more. More depth, more motivations, more everything. 
 Tula spends the first part of the story as the only human, which is really interesting. But none of the aliens really felt... well, particularly alien. There are some hints dropped here and there about gestures and customs and what have you, but again... lacking depth. Also, the story sort of takes an abrupt turn when other humans arrive. And the pacing feels a bit weird. 
 I will say though, Tournour's big reveal at the end of the book really hit all the right buttons for me. I can't tell you why. It's abrupt and vaguely foreshadowed, but I really loved it. I know some people really dislike it and I get why, but for whatever reason it worked for me. I was almost tempted to give this book an additional star because of it! But I thought better of it. 
 It does, however, mean that I'll be reading the sequel. Which wasn't something I thought I was going to do. I can't say I'd recommend this book though. I'll get back to you after I read book 2, I suppose.