An interesting future, easily imagined as a logical outgrowth of our attitudes today. AI and immigrant rights are the foundation on which the book is built. Hyperspace requires human interaction to navigate, an interesting way of working in relevance for humans.
The technology is interesting, but the author doesn’t drool over it, which makes it feel well established. Jian, our narrator, is honest, with a limited viewpoint and prejudices that are clear. She feels realistic: a person struggling in a work-a-day world, highly skilled in a narrow technical way [starship piloting], which isn’t the best for consistently making the rent. The other characters are sharply drawn with bold flaws that cause them problems.
All in all, a good book. I don’t plan on picking it up, but I won’t be sad if I happen across it again for a reread.