A review by bo_ran
A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Diplomacy, culture, language, memory, love, understanding. All these ideas and themes are explored delightfully in this second book, which reveals itself as even more entertaining and clever than the first one. The diversity of POV, at first jarring and a little hard to follow after spending the whole first book within Mahit's mind, contributes positively to the depth of the themes explored and to the pace of the narrative.
The romance aspect is tremendously well written, a bond between the two main characters which they have to work on while still providing these scenes that just makes you smile so wide.

Truly a groundbreaking series for me.