I thought this was a very fun read. It kept me very entertained. I loved the three main characters and the dynamic between them.

POLYAMORY FOR THE WINNNN

This was also the first book I have read that had mechsuits in it and I really liked it! I thought that the way the futuristic world was crafted was really interesting. 

I think there are definitely places the book falls short. At times, Zhao tells the reader what is happening and doesn't show. I also think that because of how fast-pace it is, it doesn't give the reader time to take in the worldbuilding and rushes some of the messages the book is trying to get across.  

This book does tackle a lot of important and interesting concepts, including (but not limited to): misogyny (as previously stated), war/ violence as entertainment, and complicated family dynamics/ generational trauma. I appreciate the conversations this book is trying to tackle/ address, but I think there are aspects that could have been done better. For instance, even though a major theme of the book is misogyny, there are not a lot of women in the book. Additionally, I think some of the messages fall victim to the pace of the book and the author's tendency to tell. The most obvious one of these related to Ma Xiuying's character.

I think that the idea that she was pressured into having children is a good thing to include to show how the pilot system manipulates women, however, I think that the way that information was revealed (Zetian thinking about it to herself) comes off as her judging Ma and looking down on her. I think it would have been more impactful if that had been revealed by Xiuying herself over multiple meaningful conversations.

Despite these flaws, I really enjoyed reading this book and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I am exited to read the sequel!