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Not Till We Are Lost is a disappointing addition to the Bobiverse series, falling short in nearly every aspect. While it maintains the signature, enjoyable elements of the series—multiple overlapping storylines, shifting viewpoints, alien encounters, and nerdy pop culture references—it ultimately fails to deliver anything meaningful or satisfying. The plot resembles outdated, recycled, episodic sci-fi tropes and ends so abruptly that I was left feeling shocked by how little the book achieved.

This novel lacks the detail and progression I’ve come to expect from Taylor. The Bobs, who have always been the emotional and intellectual heart of the series, feel flat and static here. There's little in the way of character development or growth, and the plot does little to advance the politics or situation of the universe. Instead, it seems like the sole purpose of the book is to set up for future events in book six, leaving this entry feeling more like an extended interlude than a necessary part of the series.

Most storylines (not all) in this installment, such as the one involving the dragons, feel particularly unimportant. What starts as an intriguing plot thread quickly devolves into an unsatisfying conclusion that lacks believability and payoff. In fact, much of the book feels rushed and sloppy, with human politics coming off as vague and unengaging, and certain science fiction tropes bordering on lazy.

Had Not Till We Are Lost been a novella, it might have worked as an interesting diversion within the Bobiverse. But as a full-length novel, it lacks the substance and weight to stand on its own. As a fan of the series, this installment left me feeling let down. The potential for a great story is buried beneath half-baked ideas and lackluster execution, making this a frustrating read for anyone expecting the same level of craft from previous books in the series.

Book six will probably be pretty sick though.