The Wonder Engine

I don't know whether to be mad or glad that this book is over, as I am heartbroken and yet in awe of the sheer emotions that Kingfisher has managed to put down on paper.

Firstly, I would agree with others that say you should read this directly after the first book, since this picks up exactly where the previous left off. The journey continues pretty well and there is a lot of setup for this high risk, high reward mission that they're on. There was a lot of set up, a few side quests to finish off based on our dear Slate's backstory, and then the ultimate finale (which honestly was sidelined by the more heart-wrenching plot twist).

Learned Edmund is probably the one that goes through the most character development. He is a very young and impressionable, and it is clear that he was indoctrinated with the beliefs of the Many-Armed God very early on. The best indication of this is when he invites Slate to join him after their journey, forgetting the animosity that his brethren have against women.

The ending was weirdly unsatisfactory. I know that in order to qualify for a romance, the characters have to have a HEA, but I feel like leaving it as it had been and having them finish open-ended would have served better, especially after the events that happened.

I still love it despite what transpired, I can admire an author that cackles knowing the reader will break over what they've written.