Most of this book takes place during a siege, so it feels like a very long bottle episode. It also functions as a deconstruction of the chosen one monomyth, which relies on the author being an unreliable narrator and a big reveal at the end. There seems to be a moral tale around the responsibility of those with power, the general implication being that it should be wielded and used by those who have it instead of given up to undefined others in the name of the greater good. One marked improvement is the inclusion of more women with complex personalities, a step in the right direction compared to TFE.

Overall a bit of a downer but a solid middle act and I still want to know how this story resolves.