I'm still trying to pinpoint why this book and it's story beats just didn't land with me, so please bear with. There's something about the narrative style that made me feel removed from both the world building, plot and characters. It tells rather than shows quite a lot, which I think contributed to the characters feeling stale (personality traits? Don't know 'em),  the world empty and illogical and like things were happening because The Plot Said So. I just... really didn't like it. Disappointing.