Roanhorse is undeniably a talented writer, but this was a slog to get through. Coupled with the fact that I switched to audio halfway through I did not have a good time reading this. The audiobook narrator for Iktan drawled all of xir lines. It felt as though all of xir lines were said on a sigh. It was just not enjoyable. Xiala's arc felt nonexistant -- she was so passive in this book. I think the same can kind of be said for Okoa. They both are just along for the ride.

I did enjoy Naranpa's storyline. Which is not surprising considering she was one of my favorite characters from the first book (I know, unpopular opinion). 

I understand Roanhorse is trying to set up political alliances and all that stuff for book 3, but it felt unsatisfying  and meandering at times. We spent all of last book building up to something and then to have the pacing go back to 5 miles an hour felt familiar in a not-good way. Also, I've noticed that with an ensembles cast, Roanhorse has a tendency to immediately cool down and focus on something else after a really tense scene. It can be jarring at times. In other books I've read where that has happened, I felt like the author was trying to create suspense but I really just felt annoyed. I tend not to enjoy those moments because it feels like a huge change in pace and I think that's why I usually don't read books with ensembles casts. 

Oh well, it was fine.