This should have been book 1! Or I should have done my typical thing of reading out of order and started here! The one time I try to be responsible and read a series in order, this is what happens.
Technically, these are “twin novellas,” but IMO, Mokoya is the emotional core of the story, followed by Rider, and Akeha in Black Tides is an interesting prequel. Everything about this one is an emotional knockout, especially the way it deals with grief and love. It had me in tears by the end. In a good way.
Also, thankfully I have the paperbacks because I want to display these covers like the masterpieces they are.