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More of a 3.5.

While the first novella was about Binti trying to find herself, this time the story dives into her sense of belonging - what happens to her home when she has changed as a person, is she now alien to the family and culture she grew up in, was it so wrong of her to think beyond her people and be ambitious. As she grapples with all these questions and decides to return home for a visit, she is also struggling with PTSD from the attack. I thought the trauma and it's affects on her were depicted very realistically, and how it translates into her unique friendship with Okwu. She also gets to examine her own prejudices when the reality of her heritage comes to light, and she is forced to make more difficult choices.

Just like the previous book, the world isn't really explained and most of its left to our imagination. I'm still confused as ever by the sci-fi elements her and Binti's treeing abilities but it's the underlying themes of the story that matter and I liked exploring them through her eyes. The story also ends on a very tense cliffhanger, so I can't wait to read the finale immediately.

Impressive continuation that uses the plot action to develop the characters. Another great cover, and I think it will be easy to get kids hooked in to this world, as all teens will be able to resonate with identity and parent struggles. I'm now really looking forward to part three coming out next month, especially with the tension-ratcheting cliffhanger ending!