What a huge surprise. A very interesting science experiment of a book. A sort of reverse-heist story with lots of medieval war tactics, where the "smartest guy in the room" character gets to take center stage all the way to the final curtain call. A very fun book and an absolute masterclass when it comes to subtle bits of worldbuilding.

The whole “white people are a minority here” thing is pretty cringe. I was quite invested in how that dynamic was going to play out but I thought it’s actual implementation was very strange.

I need to mull over this ending for a while. In a sense it’s kind of pitch perfect for the theme and style of the noble engineer. On the other hand, the whole book is leading up to an eventual assault, a helms deep type moment where the chess board is going to spin like a top, and then it just… doesn’t even come close. Holding the book in your hand and realizing how much has to happen in so few pages once you get to the final 40 or so was a panic I can’t really even compare it to. Possibly the most truncated ending I have ever read.

I thought it was such a pleasant surprise and a fun ride throughout. The ending doesn’t sit right with me but I can already feel myself talking myself into it being appropriate. The sequel is already in the mail.

Honestly it might be deserving of five stars just for how truly unique it is but “Milk-face” to dock a whole star.