Maybe 2.5 stars?

The characters, their motivations, and their relationships all seemed too simplistic — like a myth lacking the vivid details with which a gifted storyteller can imbue it. Mariko is admirable, but she (and most of the rest of this cast) are more archetypes than individuals, and the plot was propped up on layers of tropes. Also, I was a little annoyed that

Spoiler

the supernatural element, i.e. the animal transformations, the forest, etc.

seemed to be disregarded for most of the book after brief mentions at the start, only to be abruptly brought back in large doses as the narrative began to wrap up. I had reasonably high hopes because I adored The Wrath & The Dawn, but this book was honestly a bit of a letdown.