3.5 stars.

The first half was rather dull, and I think Mahit's I ago capped out a little too soon (relative to how often she longs for that voice in the back of her head) and that the big secret hinted at in the synopsis was far too easy for her to give up.

But the second half, when we encounter civil unrest and really get to see consequences of what's going down... That was where it really picked up. I would have wanted to see a bit more of Mahit's interaction with non-political entities (to see that casual xenophobia that really packs a punch in a few really specific instances) but I have a feeling that's what later books are for.

Also... Three Seagrass was a fantastic character and much more interesting than Mahit. Especially when we see her challenged and falling back on archaic ideals. She has one line at almost the very end that absolutely gutted me with its ignorance (but it fits her character and acts as a catalyst in a way that was brilliant and subtle but still infuriating).

As an audiobook listener, I found myself very confused by the epigraphs at the beginnings of chapters. And a lot of the names and characters. I would have loved a character list. I'm sure the physical book had it, but my experience was lessened by its lack.