The Book That Wouldn't Burn

I think this is just a fantasy-with-cliff-hanger issue with me. This story had some important things to say about perception and prejudice, cycles of violence, the tragedy of knowledge wielded or hoarded/censored like a weapon for power. It had a lovely amount of highly imaginative elements, and truly endearing animal helpers. It's also STUFFED with world-building and leaning heavily on time worn tropes. Unlikely that I'll pick up the sequel.
⚠️Ableism, fatphobia; would like to hear from own voices' reviewers whether this book feels as palpable an othering of albinism to them as it did to me