I am glad you chose this over blindsight it irked me.
I read it and it irked me. 1) If we found protein (not just amino acids) 1/2 light year from earth it would suggest a link to earth. 2) Game theory for humans is nearly bunk (I am not just spouting off I am published in the field) inter species game theory is just silly. 3) Vampires? really Vampires that are scared of crosses?
Hah, I totally get you on #3. When I read that I thought: vampires? Like actual vampires? Ok then. I'm able to forgive some other questionable smaller applications of science in the book. It did a well enough job overall with details that I was pretty satisfied, although Watts probably bit off more than he could chew.
Here's the real problem with Blindsight: Small "questionable" interpretations of science lead to grand maxims of plot and pacing. The whole book is an exercise in misapplied misunderstanding. It's Peter Watts going "are you willing to roll with me on this one thing that I don't really understand and don't bother explaining? Okay then. THEREFORE THE WORLD ENDS AND IT WAS COMPLETELY INEVITABLE, YOU IDIOT. I'm so much smarter than you!"
I think it was some kinda Los Alamos Bullshit game theory it seemed really misplaced in the future.
At first I thought the vampire were some kinda military GMO human but no, real vampires. I think the aliens using ATP is the equivalent of them using D batteries. But the real point of the thing was the Chinese room so I should forgive.