First of all, the hardcover of this book (and its predecessor, City of Last Chances, although this stands alone perfectly well), are absolutely GORGEOUS. 

Next: This felt like a very skilled construction by someone who is very good at constructing such constructions. The characters all occupied well-defined roles, displaying personalities, expertises, and hidden depths with clockwork precision. The plot felt a little directionless until everything snapped into place at the end, revealing that in fact what looked like aimless swirling throughout the first three quarters was in fact a hurrican pulling itself together. The ending was surprisingly satisfying, for that reason. However, possibly because of the skill and precision of the book, I never really felt like the characters were real. I couldn't quite get behind their arcs and journeys, because the craft of it all was so skilled it felt like it drew attention to itself. Not in a 'I am super-clever' kind of way (none of the infuriating smug cleverness that characterizes, say, China Mieville), but just--I don't know. I did not rejoice or grieve any of the characters' fates, and the satisfaction I felt was the satisfaction at seeing a puzzle come together, rather than pleasure at having gone on a journey with the book. It's good. But it's sort of distant.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Inasmuch as I can tell, it did not affect the content of this review.