Too much exposition makes for awkward style of writing. Plus many of the assumptions are overly simplistic. Such as assured mutual destruction leads to lasting peace (must have been written before terrorists ran amuck) and people just go on multiplying. Dark and paranoic undertones make for an umpleasant read.
Yeesh. Couldn't get through this one -- the main character goes on and on about how folks who aren't militant pro-war are anti-English, and that the military is great, etc etc. Very strident. And the plot was clunky, and couldn't seem to get started (or focused). So it might be good, but I doubt it... and I'll never bother to find out.
Wow, someone named Steve is very unhappy that he can't get published and takes it out on successful writers...
Anyway, I thought this was a fairly good story that kept my attention, even though I wasn't really a fan of the fairy tale. I think that's as good a barometer as one can get! Not Cory's best, but that's why it don't cost a dime!
Very complex and interesting story -- almost Dune-like in its use of ecological/nanotech systems. The characters are engaging, though I wish there had been a single main protagonist instead of five or six, and they're well delineated. But there wasn't anything to root against, in the end, which felt a little odd.