i liked it a lot more than i thought i would, i admit, i dont think i like cozy fantasy . and youre wondeirng why the hell i read this? well, ... cat. and also i got the book before i decided i may not like cozy fantasy. but this one is the best one ive read so far. its simple, but not in a bad way. and i like how it wasnt so... philosophical like all the other ones ive read has tried to be 
although there are still a few things that were maybe filler.

the side quest to the woods with the phoenix some of that fluff-possibly-philosophical stuff that was .. eh.

and it was really strange that

Tao didn’t care or do anything when she found out her homeland was dealing with a civil war. i mean, i know she doesnt feel too much a connection with shinara anymore, but id expect a bigger reaction to it lol

I think the story would have been more successful if the focus stayed on finding Mash’s daughter.