The Green Bone Saga was my hands down favorite read of 2024 and it is such a delight to be returning to that world with the prequels to close out the year. I was a little bit hesitant to read this one over Jade Shards, because it seemed pitched as a separate story in the same world rather than specifically about the characters I know and love, but it came up first in my Libby holds and I am *so* glad that it did. This story was excellent, a compact story that brushes all of the parts of Janloon that made the trilogy so captivating. When I end up re-reading this series in a few years, I will certainly be including this prequel as part of the re-read. I hope that Fonda Lee goes on to more successful series in the future, but I will eagerly devour any story she ever puts forth in this one.