It felt like this book is at least 90% machinations and angst, rather than actual events or character development. While it was interesting enough, I don't think this installment was totally necessary to the series; I'm not much more invested in the characters — except maybe

Spoiler

the Thunderhead itself

— and even the worldbuilding felt less significant than in the first book.

So in other words, it's very much a middle book in a trilogy. Bridging the first and third books, but otherwise not all that remarkable.

content warnings:

Spoiler

major character death(s), splatting ("suicide" without intent to die), self-gleaning (suicide), violence & blood

rep:

Spoiler

ethnically diverse world, Asian major character

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CONVERSION: 8.2 / 15 = 3 stars

Prose: 4 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 4 / 10
Emotional Impact: 5 / 10
Development / Flow: 5 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: N/A
Intellectual Engagement: 3 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 4 / 5
Rereadability: N/A
Memorability: 2 / 5