It's not that I didn't like this book (I did!) or that I don't remain blown away by the world that Bear created in this universe (I do!) but it was like...2/3s of the way through the book before I dredged up enough of the previous book to remember who the characters were and who I'm supposed to feel what about (absent the obvious jerk faces, of course).
Is there "books that are better for people who can remember for beans" recommendation?