Quantam Rose

Reread. This book is actually better than I remembered. Since I've been having a marathon of the series from first to present (publication order), I'm realizing how much I missed the first time around (I initially read these as they first came out). The concepts in the two halves are an interesting mirror/contrast to one another.

While many of the Skolian Empire books seem to be stand alone, you miss so much depth if you haven't read the other books. I don't recommend reading this without having read The Radiant Seas at the least.