i will admit that reading this book was a rough go. while the world building and characterization is incredible, the pacing is very slow. the first half of the book had me tempted to return it back to the library multiple times. in fact, i had a significant crisis of faith (har, those that have read the book get it) around the halfway point and had a very one-sided conversation with my non-reader spouse as to whether or not i should finish the book.

thank god i did finish the book because that ending had me throwing my hands up in the air and gasping out loud. i've been thinking about it for hours since finishing that last page. the effort to push through those slow points was worth it. i immediately put the second book on hold at the library.

i will say that the synopsis does not do a good job at setting clear expectations for the reader about the focus of this story. yes, it's about cyrus seeking vengeance and becoming a heroic, god-like vigilante. but i'd argue that it's moreso a heavy critique on imperialism and the use of european christianity to decimate civilizations and erase cultures. it's intense and i can imagine it being quite triggering for some readers.