I read a bunch of complaints and negative reviews and almost didn’t buy this book. I remember liking the series so far, but really anything by Jeff Hays is an auto-purchase.
I think a plot with an interesting shift from the predictable, on rails story telling that is ubiquitous in the genre is what most are really railing against. I understand that the familiar can be a feel good security blanket, but I loved this addition… wording chosen to prevent spoilers.