I can't applaud loudly enough. Rankin could just be the next Stephenson, or Martin, or Bradbury. He needs an editor, to clean up his text a bit. But believe me when I say that Rankin has wit, style, and a terrific voice. His romance rings true, his science is just wacky enough to be believable and the friendship of two odd young men against a cruel and stupid world make one hope that, even if the world isn't so bleak, one could still find a friendship that dependable. I can't recommend this book enough. Buy it and read it so that you can say you knew Rankin before he was famous, because he will be.