The working out of the physics is one of the great joys of this novel. The combination of a microgravity environment that nevertheless contains a breathable atmosphere makes for some fascinating possibilities, and Schroeder takes us through them one by one. But it’s also a rip-roaring story.

I’ll be covering Karl Schroeder’s complete Virga series at AE over the next several months. Read along with me, starting with this one.