Coalescent

I hadn't noticed the Firefly resonances, but Yes. I think that's one reason the book worked so well for me; it was able to evoke and incorporate so many stories while still telling one that is very much Hal's own. To reference Lovecraft and Burroughs and Alan Moore etc. etc. without ever becoming sycophant to those creators and their works. Really, it's a testament to the confidence of his storytelling; it's almost as if he were respectfully showing them to their seats, then saying "Look what I can do."