Psy-Q

Not really going into the plot itself as you can find that covered better elsewhere.

I liked the general sense of mystery and exploration, the dynamics of aristocrats vs. commoners and the clear motivations of all characters. Usually I hate it when books introduce three dozen characters you need to keep track of, but Tepper managed to give them such unique and inventive names (some of the best in any sci-fantasy I've read) that it's easy. They are also quite strongly defined.

I didn't like the strange pacing, the first two thirds seem languid and build a foreboding mood, then in the last third it seems like everything is happening far too quickly. But maybe that's just a literary trick to drive home the urgency of the situation. Anyway, I got a little whiplash from it. Now moving on to Arbai #2.

Clearly my rating comes as a fan of Dick. With neutral eyes I'd have given it 3.