 Recognizing what is being done, Sara helps Harlan to regain his senses and escape the mental institution.Sara and Harlan then gain the advantage over Harlan's political enemies, defeat the Mil, solve some of Lothar's emerging domestic problems and, of course, fall in love.Mary T. Brizzi calls it "unique among science fiction novels", with "shallow histrionics of characterization", "Harlequin Romance stereotypes", "improbable reactions of heroes and villains alike", "inconsistencies of plot", and a "saccharine" and "melodramatic" heroine — but emphasizes that, when "read as parody", it is funny.