I wasn’t sure “Parable of the Sower” needed a sequel. My first instinct was that it would be more powerful as a standalone. I still don’t think a sequel was needed, but “Parable of the Talents” shows us a new side of Lauren Olla Olamina. In this bleak, dystopian world she becomes a mother to Larkin. We get Larkin’s perspective on her family and Earthseed as well. This one provided interesting takes on religious fanaticism, motherhood, adoption, trauma, and much more.