I don’t know why I left so long between reading Ninefox Gambit (which I read in 2020) and picking up this sequel; I really wish that I hadn’t. While this installment felt more approachable and easier to follow than the first – the first really drops you in a world without much, if any, explanation – I did wish I remembered more detail from Ninefox. There is a lot I liked about this – consistent pacing, an interesting cast of characters (though some POVs I did find more interesting than others), fascinating political dynamics and questions; though military sci-fi is isn’t really my usual go-to, Yoon Ha Lee does it so well. The big twist in this one was massively satisfying to me – I didn’t exactly see it coming, and it sets up some really interesting possibilities for the third book without just feeling like a ‘middle book.’ I will absolutely finish this trilogy & probably pick up the collection of related short stories. 

Content warnings: violence, death, murder, war, torture, genocide, suicidal thoughts, suicide (in a battle context), genocide, grief, incest (involving adults only)