I honestly wasn't sure that The Dragon Pearl needed a sequel, though I do enjoy the scifi atmosphere and mythology. I just struggled to relate with Sebin as they navigates their familial and military obligations. I didn't quite understand their motivations and it felt like the plot was really rushed. I also must have been reading too fast because I totally missed the nonbinary rep until I was reading other people's reviews. But on the other hand, that could mean that it was just subtle enough and a *fact* rather than a plot point, which I enjoy far more. It's a great space opera YA, just not my favorite in the series thus far.