I finished the book last night and I like it a lot! I'm especially fond of the M-Bot Spensa relationship. Generally, I liked the growth of Spensa a lot. I wasn't a big fan of her at the beginning but I have grown to lover her more and more over the book. Also I was rooting for Jorgon from the beginning and I'm happy that Spensa likes him now as well.
I didn't make the connection with DE (I completely forgot that it was connected to something) but "cytonic" was ringing a bell, I just couldn't place it.
My only complaint is the part, where the go into real ballte just at the beginning of their training. Even if you are desperate, this is a very stupid idea. So to me it felt like just a way to increase the tension.
Otherwise, the book is awesome. Give me more mushrooms and doomslug!