A wonderful book which drip feeds the culture of a completely alien universe so subtly that you find not only are you having a rollicking adventure (and who doesn't enjoy ventures across space, battles with myths made real and (view spoiler)[the ticking time-bomb that is an alien side kick who will turn into a slavering killer if not fed regularly. (hide spoiler)]) but you have been on a universe wide holiday. 
 This book asks the question who made us and what does that mean. It is also a warning against becoming one homogeneous culture.