hm.
the pacing was definitely off, and there were just a lot of…. unnecessary scenes? but here’s the thing: I don’t know if it was intentional. because reading this really did feel like a dream. and endless, sometimes aimless and confusing, long long dream. it kinda put me in a trance with the foggy tone, and I honestly don’t know how to feel about it.

the plot twist was pretty obvious and again, that’s not necessary bad as it just makes sense in the context??? because it’s a good dream, one you wouldn’t want to end; it’s both genius and frustrating, and it’s certainly different from Book 1 (poor Wai-Mei and Louis).

the last bit was REALLY good tho. the assembly of Diviners, drunk Evie spitting facts, the set-up(s) for the next book… clever.

overall, this book was simply a different kind of mystery from book 1 and that’s okay!! imo it was a lot more focused on plot than characters, and while I missed Unc Will and wholesome Jericho moments, I still got Ling and quite a history lesson about the 1920s.

onto book 3!