skygiants

I also had no idea that it was a duology until after I finished it -- I think by the time I was 3/4 to the end I was starting to squint at the book like "ARE you a trilogy? this doesn't seem wrappable in the time we've got!" -- and I think you're right that it changes the energy and trajectory of the book tremendously. Especially with reference to Wang, tbh, who radiates "I am going to be a major player and turning point in the sequel" energy throughout the text!