Fantastic analysis. I am 100% in agreement, and I am surprised more people aren't commenting on the connection between the Decurian Empire and the current (and historical!) political environment we are in the midst of now — nothing to "at" you for! And maybe I'm a Pollyanna, but I suspect that some of the bleakness of book one will be tempered by our anxious but hopeful pride as we watch Katherine decide to protect Gabriel, the state, in a way that she was unable to with Gabriel, the child.
And maybe I'm a Pollyanna, but I suspect that some of the bleakness of book one will be tempered by our anxious but hopeful pride as we watch Katherine decide to protect Gabriel, the state, in a way that she was unable to with Gabriel, the child.