The sequel is equally awesome, although it follows some characters that were only side characters in the first book. I've used this book for a queer book club, so I can tell you that an entire (small) book club of people also liked this book. And there is no horrible tragedy that befalls the couple (so far as I can remember). If you loved Firefly, you'll love that this book has the same warm and fuzzy feeling. The bigger deal is about a much bigger difference that I won't spoil.
It's not super heavy on the queer aspects of the book, but it does have (SPOILERS) two female characters who enter into a relationship, and I particularly enjoy that there's no huge deal made about the fact that the two characters are of the same gender. One of my all time favourite books is The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers.
