What is the author's style in A Fire upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge?

At times Vinge comes close to telling the story through individual character's eyes, but never formally turns over the narrative reins. Thus, the Tines' ambush of the Olsndots' space ship, Johanna runs out, is shot in the shoulder, and the massacre of her parents is told through her eyes and mind until she loses consciousness. It is then retold from the point of view of Peregrine Wickwrackrum and Scriber Jaqueramaphan, who hide from the attackers. The two versions begin suggesting that the natives of this world are vicious pack animals working with highly coordinated minds. Johanna does not see her younger brother Jefri taken captive and is herself kidnapped to a rival realm.