Here is this WIP sprite of Queen Wasp roaring, just to make this post a little more visually interesting.
I just finished reading the book about half a day ago. Same disclaimers as before apply: Stream of consciousness, unfiltered thoughts, very little time to let things sit and think about my feelings towards them.
Overview
This book was... good. Really good even. Probably one of the best in the series. I usually tend to take breaks between chapters, but somewhere towards the middle of it I started having trouble putting the thing down.
Me enjoying this book is good for me, but not so much for this post. I have an easier time articulating when I don't like something, so now I have to fight off the temptation to just say "excellent read" and leave it at that.
Okay, let me think of something to say so I don't just leave you hanging.
I liked the nuanced perspective this book took with regards to the Hivewings. It felt like an evolution of some themes from arc 1. I always felt a bit weird with how the Nightwings were handled back then. The potential existence of Nightwings who weren't entirely on board with the Rainwing extermination but had to bite their tongue so Battlewinner didn't have them or their family tossed into a lava pit never got much exploration. I think that was done a little better here. A little bluntly in places, but I appreciate that it was present at all. Like yeah, there absolutely would be people who don't actually agree with the mad regime and are made to act against their better nature through force, or misinformation, or indoctrination.
It's also interesting to have to discuss this dynamic within the protagonist group themselves. The gang goes into this story split through the middle and Cricket has to navigate a strange dichotomy of Sundew and Swordtail being her allies on one side, while they openly contemplate murdering her loved ones on the other. It's very tense.
Also a little gut-wrenching to hear the "You're one of the good ones" line out of a friendly mouth.
Yeah, it turns out I have to rescind my declaration of "Blue has nothing to contribute to this fight" from the previous book post. His kindness and consideration are absolutely needed to keep the other half of their group from descending into a murderous glee.
The stand-out character for me this time was Lady Scarab. She is so unapologetically cantankerous and old, it was hilarious. Plus, I can always get behind someone doing vent art on the side.
Cricket
While things got very heavy and sad again (recurring domestic abuse theme), I didn't feel as battered and bruised by the plot as I did last book. Part of that may be because Cricket is a very active protagonist who pushes back against her perils instead of surrendering to the onslaught of unweatherable abuse. I audibly went "Yes!" when she decided they need to go public with their knowledge about the Book of Clearsight and incite some kind of uprising. It's a very "her" solution, to fight by informing the uninformed.
I am ashamed to admit I did not see the twist about her birth mother coming. In retrospect it was probably obvious, and I'm certain Lady Scarab would call me an imbecile for being this dense.
There was a scene in Cadelle's house where Cricket ran into Katydid, and things got a bit ominous. I saw Katydid show signs of being indoctrinated and thought "No, come on. Don't have the only source of familial love and affirmation betray her." I think I'm so used to parents and siblings being horrible to each other in this series that I'm conditioned to expect it now. I'm glad she didn't sell her out and things went in a different direction.
Tension deflated a little once Cricket was thrown in prison, with the hive ruler immediately showing up and saying "Don't worry, I'll let you escape and take the heat for you," followed by everyone being very nice and cooperative. That seemed a bit too easy. But I understand why it happened. The previous chapter had been rather... intense, with all the scenes of mind-controlled hordes hunting Cricket down, pressing her against the floor and jabbing needles into her throat. I continue to be a bit baffled by the rapid juxtaposition of (comparatively) extreme violence followed by casual, joke-y dialogue that seems to pervade this series. But in a kids book you can't have something like that followed up by a chapter of Cricket being miserable and crying in prison. So I get why the tone shift was necessary.
I also enjoyed the ending. After the last book ended with them discombobulated and scared hiding in some cave, it felt like they really managed to strike a blow against Wasp this time. I'm up for this continuing, little victories, making cracks in the foundation until Wasp's control slips and her regime crumbles. Now that Wasp is forced into a reactive position with the loss of her plant stash, they can really mess with her.
Other thoughts
There are apparently giant wasps that can kill elephants on this continent. NO! That is unacceptable! I don't want to be here anymore!
Cricket mentions that treestuff is made of wood, clay, and silk while burning through the prison cell wall. I personally think it would be funnier if it was like real wasp paper, made by chewing up wood. I picture a couple poor Hivewings on treestuff duty, sitting in the basement and begrudgingly munching on logs all day to make them into pulp.
It could be a Hivewing power.
Hivewing A: You have poisonous teeth. And you have a stinger that paralyzes things.
Hivewing B: What do I have?
Hivewing A: You, uh... Your saliva hardens into a very practical and durable building material when it comes in contact with wood.
Hivewing B: Oh... Can I please get a reroll?
Hivewing A: No. Here, chew on this plank.
Sad chewing noises.
Cue Swordtail's horrified reaction when he learns his job is carrying around ancient Hivewing spit all day.
Conclusion
I'm glad I read this book. It builds excellently upon the last one and I want these guys (emphasis) to stick it to Wasp and liberate Pantala. Someone needs to give that Queen a good thumping.
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