I understand why this premiere novel is enjoyable to many. It's an intriguing sf mystery which (told in a file-name/interview style borrowed from World War Z) moves inevitably towards a likely alien invasion climax. Neuvel does a fair job of pacing this work, piling on plot turns and political machinations which occasionally offer true surprises (and even some chuckles of pleasure). I presume the next two volumes will do the same.

But this is the extent of the work, at least so far. It aspires to nothing more than this exciting adventure introduced and promised. Told through the files of an unnamed and nearly-omnipotent narrator who often spends his asides editorializing on human politics (thinly-veiled author commentaries on current trends and scandals), the novel never attempts to maintain a coherent pattern which we might call "theme" or even "topic." (Even mysterious characters who supposedly hold answers do do only of plot-level elements.) 

It seems unfair to compare Neuvel with the likes of Clarke, Niven, Card, LeGuin, Chang and so many others, but a work which borrows so heavily in plotting from such authors (or even Evangelion and Cloverfield, anyone?) must then ultimately offer something of its own: a take, a riff, a nuance, an expansion, a reversal, a . . . something.

I burned through this title for its adventure; I was never unhappy with its turns or even asides. I just kept waiting for the new spin. And I'm still waiting . . . .