This book deserves some wheres between 2 and 3 stars. It's an attempt to be the typical young adult learns about herself and her place in the world story, but falls short. The protagonist is so exceptionally neurotic, and wears it on her sleeve, that I find it implausible she'd be seen as any kind of leader. Ky lives in a world where nearly everyone is unhelpful, where apparently despite her father's wealth and influence, doors shut in her face time after time and where mid-level bureaucrats go out of their way to be officious and make enemies. Give me a break. There's a fundamental misunderstanding here of what power and influence are, I think. The author's attempt to show-off Ky's trading skills also fall flat. Moon's idea of a negotiator is someone who browses on-line prices, makes zero attempt at face to face negotiating, and settles for what she is offered. We are told how wonderful Ky is, but nothing I saw (with one violent exception) reinforces that; Moon just can't pull it off. My reaction is too often "This isn't the way a young person thinks or acts..." If you're willing to be told (everyone around Ky is more than willing to tell her how impressed they are with her) what to think about her, then you've passed one hurdle in enjoying this book. As the first of a series, perhaps the holes will be plugged in later books. The big problem I have is why doesn't Ky see these holes? The underclassman who sabotaged her - she (and her family!) just shrug off his indirect assault?? Her "boy friend" who turns out to be not only a selfish cad (apparently, the concept that one important lesson TEENAGERS learn is to pick their friends, isn't true here) but more than willing to make an enemy for inexplicable motivations. What?!  And where did those two mystery ships go? Why didn't Ky care? I guess I just don't get it. No one seems on the ball enough to see the potential for hostile intent operating behind the scenes? Really? In a world where electronic systems are pervasive, potential hacking is disregarded? Really? Ky is put in a situation where she really should know, based on her training, that she needs help to supervise the "passengers" she's given, yet she asks for none. The question you should ask is: is such a blunder - which is a key plot turning point - consistent with how "wily" she supposedly is? Ky's only real talent, from what I see, is she's astoundingly financially lucky. She is presented on a plate with money making deals when she needs them, time after time. There seems to be two stories here: one of a wonderkind blazing a path to become a Galaxy class entrepreneur and the other of an average kid who is muddling through the obstacles life throws at her. The first has no bearing (aside from in Moon's mind) with what actually happens, and the second could have made a great story if the protagonist just wasn't so whiny (she talks down to herself constantly).