I know there's another book coming out this summer, but honestly, The Fated Sky wraps up the story thus far really well. I'd be just as happy if this were a duology! It's a great continuation of the story that began with The Calculating Stars, starting up when humanity has colonized the moon and is starting to look toward Mars.

There's so much to like about this book. Not only does a large portion take place in space (always cool!), but I really enjoyed the governmental and interpersonal drama around the issues of sex/gender and race, especially set against the background of the 1960s and the Civil Rights Movement. Erma York is an outspoken protagonist who pushes back against these constraints and isn't afraid to tell anyone what's on her mind. Sometimes this backfires or she's a little misguided, but her heart's in the right place and she learns from her mistakes.

Mary Robinette Kowal is a masterful storyteller, balancing alternate history with facts in a way that makes the whole thing seem plausible. She also writes characters so well, forming them into whole humans instead of feeling flat, allowing the reader to emphasize with them.

I'm excited to see what Mars has in store for Erma, Nathaniel, and the rest.