If there is a word for this book, it's "subtle".

Part of it because you could call the main narrator unreliable. She's 4, and grieving, and the plot and relationships and political posturing of the adults around her are hard for her to notice and understand. And when we read from her uncle's POV we are only getting glimpses of ongoing events.

So this was a lot more active read than I expecting, putting together clues about motivations and plot and histories based on a little detail here, a single line there. That type of reading is not for everyone, but I found it a nice change of pace from hard, fast, dramatic YA reads. Though, honestly, 1/2 my book club was comparing notes and realizing we hadn't all been on the same pages about things. But I found that fun, sorta like supporting your fandom headcanons before the new season comes out.

I wish there had been a touch more worldbuilding; while I had picked things up while reading I know others who only had things click after reading the glossary at the end. And the history and structure and culture I just want to understand/be clarified.

The uncle in this story is aromantic and his off-screen attempts at dealing with a crushing co-worker are interesting. His best friend is a married lesbian, so there's that rep too.