Point of View

The book is told in third person omniscient from the points-of-view of seven major characters: Helen, Sergei, Yoshi, Mireille, Dmitri, Madoka, and Luke. Because of this, we are able to see the mission unfolding from the perspective of the astronauts, and the way the mission is impacting the astronauts' family members. Luke provides the perspective of the Prime Space organization during the mission, and helps elaborate Mireille's perspective, as the two characters are in frequent contact. Because the overarching narrator is omniscient, they can speak to the mental/emotional conditions, as well as comment on things of which the characters themselves may not be fully aware. This allows for greater intimacy between reader and characters, and connections to be made between characters that may, at a glance, seem quite different.

For example, when the reader is first introduced to Helen, she is trying her best...