#reading progress update

WOW! incredible! the same delicate, thoughtful prose as the first two books in this universe, this new installment continued the story of thara celehar in a really compelling way. another compelling web of mysteries (as well as everyday petitions) becomes meditative and so genuinely moving as thara becomes more and more weighed down by the events of the novel. i feel this books (and the two previous) mark left on me, the way the prose falls and the nature of the world, as well as the main characters (both thara and maia), so deeply in my heart.

i was really excited to see that this book released last week as its almost my birthday, so this was lovely timing, and i am considering this my birthday book this year. overall this is one of those books that id recommend to anybody interested in fantasy worldbuilding as the world just feels so vivid. the care put in mentioning the day to day, the meals, the tram rides, the interpersonal connections... just so real and yet all serving the characters and world perfectly. this is a series that i forget doesnt have a map - because the way that the world and the city of amalo in particular is discussed really brings to mind a mental map. while of course id recommend it, on another level this is one of those series that is so dear to my heart that i can barely imagine speaking about it out loud, lest whatever i say not live up to how i really feel.

i really loved the new witness, she felt really real and unique and i hope to see more of her. especially seeing her come into her own as a witness, as we begin to see in this. tharas friendship with anora was another bright spot, just so consistently heartwarming and centering. additionally, i continue to hope that thara and iana end up together as all of their interactions are really a treat. theyre just so thoughtful with each other and i really enjoy their friendship, and hopefully as thara heals from the loss of evru he might feel ready.

i was also deeply enamored with the historians who end up helping recover the books - the three or four scenes where they interact and we see glimpses of their friendship made me yearn for a spinoff series centered on them, haha.