3.75/5 I am going to start with what this book will not do. This book will not hold your hand and ease you into the world. It will not reassure you that yes you that yes this is exactly what you expected from the blurb, it does not promise to be easy. And this will most definitely not let you get back to your mundane life once you have begun to fall in step with the world.

The author tosses you into the world with a smug, ‘so you like epic worlds, let's see how you fare.’ The book opens with impact, and the short clipped sentences with which the world is opened to the reader reminds me of a Grimm, dark, fantasy anime Episode 1, something akin to the first episode of Demon Slayer but darker.

This is a deeply philosophical exploration of a world inspired by Japan and its system of succession and clans ( get your notebooks and pens we've got loads of family tree mapping to do). It is thematically set on the precipice of exploring ones place in a hierarchy that is designed to work against the characters. The book is rife with heavy political intrigue , and the world building unfolds largely through these political mechanations and extended family ties — a historical fantasy lovers dream come true. There are conversations about the balance of things, the illusion that is life and it is all punctuated with some subtle interactive humour between characters , and well placed lore building.

Throughout this all the prose holds steady almost throughout. However, I will admit the shorter, clipped sentence writing style chosen to deliver the impact of the scenes does need some getting used to, and for the first 15ish percent we were left to fumble about observing characters in different corners of the world. Which also made it hard for me to root for or bond with any character initially.

Things begin to fall in line at around the 20 percent mark and we are given clarification and chaos hand in hand. Almost like a reward for those that stuck with the preparation long enough for the magic show to happen.

There is relatively low magic, but if you are someone who likes to fuel their inner rage with musings on societal hierarchy, a deeply problematic system, the use/abuse of power , classism and all it's fun cousins like segregation and commodification of human lives have at it , this one is for you.