We speak through the mountain

Reid Graham has finally gained entrance to Howse University, a bastion of technology and safety amid a climate-ravaged world. Here, advanced pre-collapse technology forces the parasitic fungus within her into hibernation, allowing her to focus on her studies. After leaving her home, Reid contends with culture shock and survivor's guilt; additionally, the aftereffects of traumatic events detailed in Mohamed's first series entry, The Annual Migration of Clouds, make it difficult to find her place. Howse holds impressive technology and power that could help the world, but Reid soon realizes that her dreams might not align with the university's goals. Eva Tavares gives voice to Reid, channeling her strong will, courage, and certainty. Tavares depicts each classmate's personality perfectly, supplying nuanced accents and character voices that communicate the class conflicts between the privileged dome students and the outsiders. After the much sadder series starter, this latest entry feels far more hopeful, even when the cost of hope is revealed. VERDICT Mohamed's latest is a quick, thought-provoking listen that brings much-needed lightness to the series, even as grimmer horizons loom ahead.--Matthew Galloway