# A Deepness in the Sky

I normally hate sequels and sci-fi/fantasy “series,” instead preferring works that can stand alone. I’m terribly glad I made an exception for A Deepness in the Sky, however. While set in the same universe as A Fire Upon the Deep, this book explores very different topics and themes. What are the acceptable human costs of progress? What are the implications of technologies we cease to be able to understand? This is classic high-concept science fiction, a work that makes us question our present-day reality by presenting it as an unknown future instead. My only complaint, and it’s a minor one, is that in places the narrative drags. Not to worry, as the bevy of interesting ideas throughout the book kept my interest nonetheless.