In writing this review, I think I've started to like the book more: to be honest, my only complaints were that the characters frustrated me at times and that I couldn't really understand how they could act the way they did at times, but the characters are unlikeable and deeply flawed and badly reasoned intentionally. Perhaps, it just isn't entirely my genre. 

Ezra was an absolutely fascinating character to follow; his reasoning, his obsessiveness, his blind (pun intended (sorry)) loyalty. The story is told as something of a recounting of events; the tone is sustained throughout the book and serves to fully flesh Ezra out. The characters surrounding him, including Orson are all also well written: we never know more than we would if we had been in an interaction with them, which I highly appreciated. 

The pacing of the books is sustained and the build up is quite subtle; you almost don't notice it until you realize you haven't taken a full breath for a few pages as the tension has ridden so high. Some of the developments seem almost outlandish when removed from their development and that, truly, is part of the beauty of this book. 

The book is also impeccably structured -- the symbolism, the parallels, it's beautiful. Despite the tone of the book overall being very dry, there are moments when you can truly feel the muffled intensity of the happenings; stunning execution. 

Overall, honestly, it's a great book.