Man was this novel fast-paced! It truly left the ground running and took the story in a direction I wasn’t entirely expecting. I was so hooked very time I picked the book up. I thought the mecha fight scenes were written really well (they were incredible to imagine), although I will say the fight-rest-repeat pattern of the latter part became a touch repetitive. I thought Mikuta could have teased out campus politics to provide some variety. But I really enjoyed the plot overall. 

The characters were definitely the strength of this book. The two POV characters, Eris and Sona, were distinct from the off which was a great sign. It only got better when the narrative drew out their complexities. Both are filled with anger and the purpose of toppling Godolia. Eris has been trained to be a leader and feels so much responsibility and love for her crew. Her emotions feel like a vulnerability for her and so she grows thorns even though she just wants to be soft. I felt particularly compelled by Sona, though, being a person straddling the lines between human and bot and desperately trying to land as the former. She is terrified of herself and what she’s done, so her deepest wish is to be loved regardless. I found the scenes where she grapples with herself so heartfelt. I just got so attached to both MCs in a way that doesn’t often happen to me. I think the raw writing style really showcased the emotional state of the characters, giving the reader something real to resonate with.

Because Eris and Sona were such dynamic characters, the romance they shared was utterly believable. While there is instant attraction (at least on Sona’s part), it wasn’t instalove. Instead, Mikuta makes sure to include a range of scenes where the MCs explore and deepen their connection. The tension she crafted was spot-on. In my opinion, this was a good execution of the enemies-to-lovers trope. 

In terms of world-building, I understood why the mechas were created and how they shaped the world as it was in this book. However, there was bigger-picture context missing in terms of how far in the future we were and what the global situation was. I also wanted more description of how religious colonisation impacted culture in Godolia and beyond. I was interested to know if religious and political conformity meant cultural conformity as well, as there was some evidence to the contrary in this book. I wanted to know what clothes, food, languages, etc. existed and why. So in this way the world-building was not fully realised and ended up being a bit plain.

this shit was so STRESSFUL oh my god. please i just want them to have their happy little found family why is everybody having a bad time !!!!!!!
to be serious for a moment this book has some incredible dialogue around war and how children play such a huge role in it and goddamn is it fucking devastating. just heartbreaking and all too real. 
now please give them the chance to be fucking happy in the next book PLEASE

HOLY SHIT! Ok it’s like a little slow at the beginning BUT I SWEAR JUST KEEP GOING IT GETS SO GOOD. I’m immediately buying the sequel.

"If this world has taught me anything, it's that humans have no right playing pretend at being Gods." 

I absolutely adored this book with every fibre of my being; it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me tense and on my toes, it made me feel so many emotions. Sometimes the world building and fight scenes were a little hard to wrap my head around, but only because there are mechas involved and I have little experience with them besides a single anime and so they are an entirely new and overwhelming, but equally fascinating. Genuinely, the world building was so so so fascinating to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about their world and how it related to the characters.

I LOVE THE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK SO SO SO MUCH, esp Eris' crew; the found family element between those kids makes my lil heart so fucking happy.

which is why it broke me so much when Xander dies

I especially love Theo and Nova, and their entire dynamic just makes me laugh, and Xander esp when he

steals the eye from Jenny for Sona

that had me tearing up so much

Jenny was absolutely my favourite character, she made me laugh so much, I love her entire attitude and the way she just does not give a shit what people think, she just shouts at them and does whatever the fuck she wants bc she knows she can. Her dynamic with Eris is just perfect; the sibling bickering, but with real care and love underneath all that. 
And of course, I loved Eris and Sona so fucking much. I cant even articulate just how much and why I love them, but Gods, I loved them.so so much and seeing their trust build and grow and turn into care and love

Also thebending !!!! Wtf !!! Im so glad I waited until Godslayers to read it bc I wouldnt have been able.to cope