The novels present a future history of an Earth dominated by China.

Because the novel does not present a linear story but has many flashbacks and jumps around in time, Amini found the adaptation challenging.

The novels present a theme of exploration and colonization of the solar system by humans in the late 21st century.

This is an unusual element, as most epistolary novels present the documents without questions about how they were gathered.

The novel does not present the situation of Stevens as simply a personal one.

The novels present a wide variety of ships, both military and commercial and even personal "yachts."

These novels present an advanced interstellar society's efforts to accelerate the evolution of other worlds, including Earth.

The novel is set at the end of the 19th century and presents the concept of personal devotion and working for the common people.

The novel also presents the conflict between the temporal and religious powers which has a universal significance.

These novels also presented critics with a distinct challenge.