Since the book's publication MacLeod has written two short stories set in the same universe, "Lighting Out"[3] and "Who's Afraid of Wolf 359?".

approaches the Destiny Star to make first contact The discovery of an industrial age-level alien species (the first encountered by humans) upsets the established protocols of the ship and causes social unrest.

Carl Hays in his review for Booklist said that "MacLeod continues to dazzle readers with vividly rendered landscapes of technological splendor and fascinating yet plausible visions of humanity's future.

"[4] Kirkus Reviews writes "MacLeod flips back and forth between stories of the humans and aliens, avoiding the usual pro-human slant and presenting both sides as equally complex.

"[5] Ted Rose in his review for Entertainment Weekly described this novel as "a compelling first-contact scenario, but MacLeod's confusing characters lead to a lackluster close encounter.