Reading and finishing this book post-presidential election 2024 under the United States was very depressing as the themes of the book have and continue to be a reality. Prejudice and oppression of any sort should not be tolerated... And contrary to others beliefs non violence does not always work. One thing that I am glad TJ Klune does is not to pretend it is easy or shy away from hard truths. I keep wondering if a certain character visiting the island could have been changed... Just one person at a time but to Klunes point there will always be a subset of the population that feels hatred towards others that are different. We will need allies and to unite somehow. Going back to America... I'm not sure how when >50% voted for hate, fascism (gestepo level), and to be represented by a man who is not only a criminal but one that cannot speak or read above a 9 year old level.