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I have first read this book as a pre-publication file, provided by the author. Then, I also purchased it, because it’s just so good I wanted to own a physical copy.

This series as a whole focuses on two developments. One is technological: harnessing the power of gravity via capturing “small” black holes (only a mountain-heavy) and using their energy. The other one is neurological: the evolution of neurodivergent traits to such a degree as to enable telepathy (sort of like an organ in the brain “seeing” microwaves similar to how our eyes see visible light). Both are prohibited by the aliens ruling our galactic neighborhood. Both are subject to non-proliferation enforcement. And both can get propel a species into the status of “rulers” by making it possible to develop a deterrent against aggression.

When Earth steps on this path, some aliens will stop at nothing to prevent the human species from joining the elite club. Including killing the entire planet Earth.

Whereas many sequels struggle, this one mostly succeeds at achieving a balance between being accessible to new readers and delivering the goods to those who remember the first book.

I especially like the aspect of autism being presented as a potential advantage. Eugenicist movements, encouraged by aliens to eradicate the emergent neurodivergent population, are portrayed as cruel fascists—a take that I applaud. One of the threads of the book’s storyline develops a group of autistic children from the state of seemingly helplessness toward becoming highly capable individuals with a rich mental space.

Overall, the characters are interesting and well fleshed out. The author’s personal experience clearly shows, both in his treatment of neurodiversity and in his meticulously grounded take on the engineering involved in such futuristic technology as “gravity fracture” weapons.

Highly recommended!