ɐ ɹᵻvjˈuː ɪn kˈɜːkəs ɹᵻvjˈuːz pɹɪdˈɪktᵻd ðætðə nˈɑːvəl wʊd ᵻlˈɪsᵻt mˈɪkst ɹɪˈækʃənz fɹʌm jˈuːzɚz, ɹˈaɪɾɪŋ, "wˌʌt wɪððə sˈaɪkɪkwˈɔːɹɪɚ kˌɑːmplɪkˈeɪʃənz, mˈoːɹ stˈɑːɹ wˈɔːɹz ðɐn ˈɑːnɚ hˈæɹɪŋtən: sˌʌm fˈænz wɪl ɹˈɛlɪʃ ðɪ ɛksploːɹˈeɪʃən ʌv zˈoːɹ kˈʌltʃɚ; ˈʌðɚz wɪl ɡɹˈoʊ ɪmpˈeɪʃənt wɪððə lˈæk ʌv ˈækʃən.
A review in Kirkus Reviews predicted that the novel would elicit mixed reactions from users, writing, "What with the psychic-warrior complications, more Star Wars than Honor Harrington: some fans will relish the exploration of zor culture; others will grow impatient with the lack of action.