True to form McDevitt delivers yet another solid installment in the Academy series.

Contrary to the alex Benedict series which are solely told from Chase's point of view, the academy books are told from the viewpoint of a number characters, of which most are unique to each book, only Priscilla Hutchins are a recurring character.

The rapid jumping from character to character often describing the same situation from different viewpoints,suits the suspense part of the story.

Even though its labeled and sold as sci-fi and world exploring it's foremost a suspense rescue operation story, not unlike "The Poseidon Adventure".