Marguerite Bennett has created a fascinating world, with characters whose depth is instantly apparent. It's exciting to see the animals finally "make it" on par with Homo sapiens, but it looks like they may find it isn't all it's cracked up to be. Taking a page from Aesop, Bennett ultimately uses our furry friends to show us what jerks we humans can be. Read Full Review

It's interesting to watch this unorthodox society get off the ground and search for ways to overcome issues like food shortages. Little details are ignored though, like how are the birds lighting the dynamite? The cyborg stuff at the end is hamfisted. There is no insight into where the technology comes from or how Wintermute recovers so fast. It just does not fit with a story that otherwise focuses on concrete issues like food sources.