[1] In an essay on the Baen Books website, Williamson describes the research he undertook to enhance the realism of the story.

This included reading papers on paleolithic Central Asia, experimenting with making fire with friction, and cooking bugs.

In a review for Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Don Sakers described it as a "fascinating story" and especially praised the survival elements.

[8] Mark Lardas of the Galveston Daily News praised the "different and fully developed" characters and described the book as "outstanding entertainment".

[1] Bill Lawthorn of SFRevu criticized the depiction of female characters but called the book a "good novel".