Mr. Scott Card uses a fairytale to explore immigrant identity, language, and gender. Miraculously, every topic gets treated thoughtfully and none are oversimplified. He also writes about how morality varies across time and culture, which is I think necessary for every author to understand whether or not they are writing sci fi/fantasy though few seem ready to handle the implications of there being no moral truths. Card’s philosophical approach to storytelling extends to his protagonists; Ivan and Katerina are both god-tier and frustrating at various times, which is appropriate. This is a very exciting novel, as it deals with fate in a very accessible way but without being reductive. it is constantly entertaining and thoughtful. I cannot believe how good this is and that I never heard of it.