I can into this book with high expectations after having read Jubilee, the short story in this universe. I was in love with the idea of the technology that lets you go into suspended animation for decades, and then use that time to travel to new worlds. The ability to live on asteroids, comets, wandering planets, or in the upper atmospheres of gas giants is marvelous and exciting to read. Schroeder develops the technology required not only for the hibernation but also the space travel and robotic support needed for a civilization to utilize this to best effect. His descriptions make it believable and integrated well in the world. The sense of exploration and new worlds is strong for most of the book. However, when the story turns more political in the latter half, it feels a little flat. I agree with the premise of the political plot, and ts eventual resolution, but it just feels underdeveloped. This was a good read, and I do recommend it on the premise of the technology and hard SF approach.