Unequivocally better than the first book in every respect, yet the major thing that grates on me when reading these, is just how’s potentially evocative the fiction could be, yet the prose lack specificity when it comes to description.

I get the feeling that Lee has a very strong grip on what every scene looks like, but what she is interested in conveying to the reader has nothing to do with how things look, and I am a very visual thinker. If you are the type of reader who wants the writer to write what they can’t imagine, and you’re not sure what 70s Hong Kong with fantastic elements would look like, you may have the same problem as me.

Every other aspect is top notch. Especially the characterization and character arcs in this one are just incredibly on point and perfect. Same with the plot. I really love how realistic everything is and just how much is driven by the plot pushing on the characters and the characters pushing back. You would think it would be almost nihilistic, yet you can see and feel the cause and effect so vividly, you find yourself feeling just as the characters do; wherever they may be on the moral spectrum you might internalize and externalize.

Honestly just cannot wait for the TV show of this. Sure hope it goes through and doesn’t get stuck in production hell. This in a visual form, if true to the books, would be incredible; essentially fixing my only issue!