Yeah, this is the best YA series that I’ve read in a long time. Raybearer will probably be in my top reads of the year. This is an excellent sequel that wraps everything up beautifully. I do think that Raybearer was a tighter and better paced story. This one had some issues with meandering through certain subplots and rushing through others. I would’ve loved to see more time fleshing out the underworld. I personally wanted more time with Sanjeet and Dayo just because I loved them so much. But ultimately Tarisai is the core of the story and her development and growth were masterfully done and her arc was SO satisfying to watch. Ifueko also expanded on the worldbuilding a lot in this one, incorporating rulers from across Aristar and confronting Tarisai with the reality of being a ruler. Her compassion and cunning makes her such a lovable and realistic protagonist and this book cemented her as one of my favorite female protagonists of all time. 

Seriously - read this.