i have nothing to defend myself. i really thought this book wouldn't be as good as the first one but how the fuck does N. K. Jemisin keep doing that?! yes, the first half didn't feel like a 5 out of 5 stars but I GET WHY, OK?! i get that it took a few pages to get every single plot line to the specific point just to twist them and make them make sense. this book is perfect. the plot twists, the character growth, the EVERYTHING!