The build-up to the climax in this penultimate book manages to (mostly) be a worthwhile story in itself but the villain coming out of left field is at odds with a tale that routinely asks you to recall minor characters from ten issues ago. Rudd and Lys' whole deal has yet to ring true to me too, and there was perhaps one too many points where the story pauses for minor characters to narrate the serendipitous parts they play. Would have preferred to tighten in on the brilliant core cast. Skimmed through a lot of filler in the back half in my desperation to get back to the main characters' reactions to one tumultuous scene.

Though I am rabidly grateful to see Lucifer both humbled and seeking out his brother more, these instances still only skim the emotional depth I want them to dive into. Could have used more insight into Lucifer's reaction to certain events. His aloofness does create that sense of unknowable power but it also holds us back from empathising with him beyond his drive for freedom. Just a few more cracks in the mask, please. Speaking of masks, Mazikeen continues to steal every page she's on.