This book is very different than Sanderson's more popular works. It's described on the Dragonsteel Books website as "an exciting story in the tradition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Jason Bourne, and Project Hail Mary." The inserted guidebook excerpts certainly have the same tone as Hitchhiker's Guide, though the book overall is a bit more serious. It felt similar to Sanderson's middle grades series (Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians) but for adults. Personally, I really appreciated the messages about escaping cycles and being a better version of yourself.