Fevered Star

Wowwwwwww ... this is a whole 'nother level for Roanhorse. Those insipid characters from the first book are now nuanced, feeling, conflicted creatures. (Minor spoiler) The Annoying Prophecy having been (partially) foiled in the first book, events are now free to take very interesting new courses, and oh, they do. It's like seeing cardboard cutouts suddenly spring to life.This is Book Two Of N: I came in expecting development, not resolution, and got much more than I dared hope for. The Meridian world feels much more real. The intrigues are better defined. And the characters... I'm in love with half of them. They now show gumption, fears, feelings, self-reflection, uncertainty, grit. New relationships are forged here, with all the stages of grudging and developing trust. Relationships begun in the first book are clarified and better defined. What surprised me most is the quiet competence that the principal characters now exhibit, and how Roanhorse depicts it. (I'm a sucker for smart competent people). This is a more mature work than anything I've read by her. Rewarding, filled with promise.Friendly hint: re-skim [b:Black Sun 50892360 Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky, #1) Rebecca Roanhorse https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1601212809l/50892360.SY75.jpg 61321587] if it's been more than a few months since you read it. Roanhorse wastes few words filling in backstory. (Don't even THINK of reading this without having read Black Sun first. It will make very little sense.)Another Friendly Hint: If you're the kind of person who needs a tidy wrap-up, don't read this yet. Wait for the next, or possibly next-next: this has the feeling of a long-game saga. And pray to whatever gods you pray to that Roanhorse will not abandon this series.