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Talia's writing is incisive and it made me uncomfortable in the best of ways. It is the kind of the discomfort at the realization that assumptions you had and didn't even know you had are challenged. I'll undoubtedly have to revisit it in order to fully grasp the wisdom in her book; my own lack of familiarity with gender lit was telling, though not necessarily a barrier to my being able to grasp most of the positions she forwards here

Like with Expecting Better, it's got good references to studies if you can get past the commentary. I struggle with her voice as an author, and this, like almost all other parenting book out there, is incredibly heteronormative and gendered towards "mothers" so just something to keep an eye out for if that's not your family goal and/or configuration. Given her vaccine takes during COVID, I was a bit worried about the vaccine chapter but it seems to provide a good foundation on their tested safety, efficacy, and importance in childhood for those who are feeling a little more hesitancy around them. Give it a quick skim then keep it on your shelf for if/when issues or the need to reference arises

It's got everything I would want in a fantasy novel. Great beats, vivid landscapes and world building, an incredibly terrifying antagonist, and pretty great twists at the end. My partner is excited to read the rest of the trilogy. I'm actually somewhat wary because as a standalone this book works incredibly well