A lovely follow-up to the first book in the Dreamblood duet. 10 years have passed, which means we can have fun revisiting older characters, but the story really focuses on new ones. This was a much darker story than the first. And the issues explored were, while still societally ingrained and systematic, much more feminist focused. The main character, Hanandi, was fighting to gain respect in the man's world of the Hetawa (even with Mni-inh's support) and then struggling to accept the sensually "feminine" side of herself that was more respected by the Banbarra (re: Yanassa's education/mind-opening advice). Her internal struggles against the rigidity of her past, the awakening of her own desire, and her need to compromise between the two was fantastically played out. I enjoyed the reappearance of Najiri and Sunandi. And I thought Wanahomen was a really nicely developed character. He struggled with everything that he had experienced and, while coming to terms with his father's crazy side in the end, held all the rage/frustration only to be expected based on his POV and experiences. The way he and Hanandi brought each other out of their different, but parallel, shells was well done. The story of Tiaanet and Tantufi and what they suffered was horrific, heartwrenching, and what made this plot so dark. The fact that a child suffered so much that her nightmares could kill others is a terrifying and heartbreaking situation. It was a phenomenal exploration of "evil" since the dream killed, which is of course wrong, but for the person behind it to be so helpless and innocent...it makes everything so much more deep and complex. And the "fight" in the dreamland between Hanandi and the nightmare is a beautifully played out rendition of what happens when we react and blame the bearer of bad tidings, and punish them, instead of finding and attacking the source - it makes the situation worse, it creates corruption in the person who would be good, it pushes the person who most needs saving farther and farther from it, and allows the real evil to continue it's work. A society that can allow that to happen, no matter how "peaceful" they claim to be, is not what they think they are. This is a fantastic exploration of inner demons, as well as what feminism and chauvinism really mean. And I can't say that I wasn't happy to see a "happy" but realistic ending after such a draining story (and here I refer not just to this one, but to the sorrow Najiri faced at the end of the first book as well). I applaud the author and definitely plan to read more form her!