I wanted to enjoy this a lot more, based on the concept and the fact it was the first in what seemed to be a series. However, lack of pacing and tension building really robbed this of its potential. Most of the tension was spoiled by the rotating POVs where we were told or shown certain aspects. By the time the action kicks in at around 75%, nothing is truly surprising. I was also confused by why everyone sort of accepts the status quo, and no one seems to have inter-neighborhood friendships, which seems like it would be a thing for people who have been living on a ship for two generations. The threat from Coalys and the semi-futuristic surveillance system would not necessarily have prevented day to day mingling.

I think the biggest flaw was having Esther be in a relationship. From the beginning, we see Esther be uncomfortable with Alex, and doubt whether they would get married. While she does not question his temper or weird reactions (and this may be where I show my age), it is clear she does not want to be with him. This would allow for some midway tension, if they ended their relationship, and it certainly would lead to a more believable betrayal (I don’t believe that Esther would have trusted him implicitly). It would also make the inevitable Nik-Esther set up less weird.

I’ll still read the sequel but hopefully issues of pacing are worked out. It was enjoyable, albeit not very memorable in terms of YA dystopian lit.