This was simultaneously an incredible, engaging story and one of the most boring books I have ever read. I was so invested in Roger and Dodger, their sibling relationship felt so authentic and I rooted for them to find each other and the answers to the Doctrine and The Impossible City. But this story moved at a snail like pace and felt like it could be 200 pages shorter.

It's a very twisty, complex story, that to be honest with enough explanation wouldn't be at all. I spent a solid half of the book battling my way through a fog of confusion trying to understand the concepts being presented for seemingly no reason. I liked the order/chaos dynamic as Roger excels in language and Dodger in math.

There's a Wayward Children connection in here that isn't stated, but hinted at, that I can feel. This might just be my own headcanon, but Dodger feels like a true Wayward child, and if she appeared in Seanan's other series she would immediately fit in. I was disappointed that this stuck to a scientific angle throughout, and I'm hoping the future books lean into fantasy.

Update: After reading reviews of Seasonal Fears I think this book will be my stopping point for this series.