The entire Quintara Marathon is one mind-bending, surreal escapade after another. The first book is devoted almost entirely to character development, the second to development of the plot... and the third is the big one. Although the climax is sometimes almost as hard to understand as the last ten minutes of the movie 2001, don't let that daunt you. This book has something for everyone. Space opera, science fiction, science occult, fantasy, and crisises of faith.... I thoroughly enjoy this sort of 'gestalt' and if you do as well, then I don't believe you will be disappointed. Some people might be squicked by some of the religious overtones (undertones?), or the Ultimate Nature of the universe (some of the characters are squicked, as well!) but taken in the light of the story, this concept adds greatly to the plotline. Besides, it's a rousing good read!