I am a huge sucker for Aliette de Bodard's Xuya universe and have enjoyed the books that I've read. This one is a standalone revenge and romance story in that universe.

The big character tension of the novel is Quỳnh being torn between her angry mindship friend Guts of Sea and her new acquaintance Thiên Hoà. Guts of Sea is ready to tear everything down no matter the cost or sacrifice, and has forged a plan for revenge with Quỳnh. Hoà is a cinnamon roll of pragmatic honesty who shows up and gives Quỳnh something to live for.

Just a good solid story all around.