It’s crazy to me that I haven’t read anything by Le Guin before this book (which apparently is the fifth in a series, but there’s no need to worry, you can jump right into this book without missing out on anything). She is a master of science fiction and her prose is just so good, sweeping you right into the narrative. She has this amazing blend of philosophy and science with an achingly good awareness of human nature. It’s both cognizant of realities and idealistic, and it allows us to examine our own society by making it alien and creating distance. Plus the worlds she creates are just so cool. I really loved this book. If you like science fiction and you haven’t read this book… you’re doing yourself a huge disservice.