This is a sci-fi that doesn't pull its punches when it comes to its exploration of the very many thought experiments. On the outset, it's a typical alien invasion story, but as you peel back the layers, there are mouthwatering nuggets of exposition that bend the way you perceive science. Characters navigate the realms of religion, metaphysics, quantum physics, and chaos theory in ways that make the otherwise mundane plot a treat to read. I found a majority of the characters as mostly plot-subservient, which isn't bad considering the narrative takes the cake. With no background in astrophysics, I had to reread portions especially at the start, but past the midpoint, I couldn't put it down.