Nova

I don't normally like space operas, but I absolutely loved this book. It might help that while the characters do ultimately execute the somewhat silly mission that motivates the plot, it functions as a McGuffin for a large part of the novel. The focus of the novel is really on the characters, taking time to fully develop their personalities, motivations, and histories. Even seemngly minor characters are given depth. Perhaps most remarkably, Delany gives the characters unique voices; too often, dialogues between characters can sound like the same person talking to themselves. Here, each character is unmistakeable and distinct. The back stories that make up much of the novel's plot are absorbing and well-paced. The world-buiding is balanced, giving enough detail to picture without devolving into tedious info-dumping. And this book might have one of the best endings I've ever read.