Great Sky River is a logical extension of Benford's earlier novels, especially those in the Nigel Walmsley series, which take place in the same universe but many years earlier. It demonstrates his interest in new technology, space exploration, the potential for technology-based changes in the human mind and body, artificial intelligence, and the difficulties of information exchange between radically different cultures. In this novel Benford once again attempts to portray non-human minds with a minimum of anthropomorphism. In the sequel, Tides of Light (1989), Benford continues this exploration, developing yet another alien culture, one which shares with humanity a biological origin, but which is much more heavily cyborged.