If you don't mind it being a little forced in places, this is a really good read.

The writing almost feels David Weber-esque, with the driven female lead and the space opera type of setting. All the plotting the female lead does to control the outcomes are brilliantly done, but in a couple of places it almost seems like she uses that as a get-out-of-jail-free card for any particularly difficult situation, so its a little good and a little bad. Its a great plot, and great characters, with generally realistic reactions from the characters and situations.

Just like you can't tell for sure if the bruise on a banana is only skin deep, you won't know if this is to your taste until you open it up, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, even with its brief brushes up against reality.