What a beautifully epic story. The perfect blend of dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction mixed with the intricacies of human relationships that run the full gamut: mother-daughter (especially poignant in this final installment), leader-follower, lover-lover, former lovers, etc. The diversity, as I have already mentioned in the previous books' reviews, is dreamy and keeps me hopeful. So inclusive, so natural; I pray this makes its way into more novels, especially mainstream fiction. If you want people to have a healthy outlook, you have to serve them the right viewpoints.

The depth of characterization, especially with the two main characters in this novel, a mother and her daughter who have been separated for two key years, is amazingly real. Just looking at their difficult and fractured relationship gives you an idea of how true to life Jemisin's writing is at the heart of her work. Yes, this is a dystopian, post-apocalyptic meshing of a future for Earth with magic and fantastical elements, but the core of this book is about relationships—good and bad, strong and weak, healthy and unhealthy, all of it. It's exquisite.

I will absolutely have to check out more from this author.

Audiobook, the [a:Robin Miles|158074|Robin Miles|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] narration: Robin Miles is phenomenal as this series' narrator. Everything about this performance is perfect for this book, the two that came before it, these characters, and this world. Her range, in whatever capacity was required by the characters, was astounding. The performance itself, with her accents, her natural rhythm, and her varied expression, came through brilliantly in every aspect. I'll be sure to be on the lookout for any other book narrated by her that I'm interested in.