Wow. After reading the first volume, I enjoyed the story but couldn't quite see how it needed six more books to finish. It seemed like everything was set to wrap up in one or two more books. Now that I've read the second book, I see: this is an author who knows how to create great characters and continually expand and deepen the scope of the narrative. The story has now become a powerful portrayal of guilt and forgiveness. It's really amazing.
The second book picks up where the first left off, and in addition to Shoya and Shoko, we get to know Shoko's little sister (or boyfriend!), revisiting some of the previous events through her eyes. The mothers are still in the story, and I assume that the perspective will shift to their experience at some point in the series.
I love the way we see Shoya changing and struggling. His pathway to redemption is not at all straightforward or easy, and it feels very real. I feel like I'm being granted access to the interior character of the kind of person I might never know that well in real life. I love watching what he's going through in his self-doubt, his desire to figure out the right thing to do, and his growing understanding of what friendship means.
I absolutely can't wait to read the rest of the series!