mara albert in a review for school library journal said that "this is well-written, thought-provoking, and exciting science fiction. it's got cool weapons and weird aliens, but it's also got some meat to it. fans of "star trek" will find it just to their taste." anita berkam in her review for horn book magazine said that "the mystery moves at a cracking pace with plenty of action, and bell creates several alien races with unique characteristics and philosophies, notably the vivitare survival philosophy and the t'chin perspective on life as a cosmic game of profit both the bibliogoth's wise mentorship and ahvren's gradual and believable conversion to the t'chin way of thinking are distinctively and engagingly handled. for its winning characterization, suspenseful covert action at the climax, and intriguing conclusion, this entry in the science-fiction/ mystery genre will convert plenty of fans."