As usual, I remember absolutely nothing from the previous books, but I trust the author does and that the things she tells me happened definitely happened. And it didn't really matter because I got to know everyone again and it was awesome and also such a good story about the road and travels and what it means to do what you set out to do.
And also about the raw horrors of 19th (and on) century colonialism and what is lost when we stop seeing and being people.
"Sidekicking" indeed.