thanks, this is a good heads up. Because I found the first book disappointing, but it was mostly because I didn't realize it wasn't a standalone until almost the end, and therefore the character development of Staten Island lady was deeply aggravating to me. Because if that was a standalone, if that was as far as it went? Then, like, of course she's an over-the-top stereotype narrative, and I get it, but if you have this obvious abuse victim (who is buying into both her own oppression and the oppression of others, because very in your face stereotype) then you have to push her harder -- give her more opportunities to get out or learn that she fails to take. I had no problem with her choosing the wrong side, but there wasn't enough time for her evil choice to be meaningful, because she was so abused she never had any options.

But then it turned out it was the first of two books and all my annoyance at her character arc turned out to be misguided, and I was left feeling just weirdly frustrated for no good reason.

(I also rolled my eyes constantly at making the hilarious parochial exceptionalism of New Yorkers into a metaphysical and magical reality (I almost expected there to be some magical avatar of bodegas), but whatever, I'm from Boston, I'm used to ridiculous localized exceptionalism.)