Another great instalment. What really makes this series is the heavy character development and seeds planted early on coming to fruition for those moments, so that they feel honestly earned, rather than put in purely for melodrama or manipulation.

Plot wise, the second book still has an elegant yet intricate frame that was just masterful, to me. This is still more of a fun ride, established by the last one, but with some more serious plot beats. I liked this direction more than the previous. Also there’s a Canadian, leading to some really great lines.

The “radical” empathy, as the term goes around these days, is a cornerstone of this series. Where older people are more than just the hook. The author clearly puts a lot of time and effort into making them the opposite of the punch lines they can be, or else the punching bags they sometimes are. They aren’t railing at youth politics or always fumbling with the technology. They’re competent, go against stereotype—most of the time displaying how especially male friendships are enriching and hyper masculinity is sad and sometimes, a sad joke.

Shaw does a good job with the narration, having taken over from the last book. I’ve sort of settled in with her. The last book I missed the original quite a bit though.