I generally consider flashback chapters as cheap storytelling because it indicates the author is unable to create a linear story that remains engaging throughout. Flashback chapters are way too numerous in this story, and their sheer quantity leaves me as frustrated as I was when reading Steven King’s Dark Tower series. But this is a fun book none-the-less and the author’s creative world-building saves it quite admirably (kind of like how Avengers Endgame was saved by the battle in the 3rd act). There is, however, a major problem with the story… I reads way too much like an anime. I don’t generally like anime because I’ve found anime to always fall into the trap of becoming a fantastical soap opera.