-Spoilers-
I really love this series, but as this is the penultimate entry I was am bit disappointed. The training of the two young proteges is a thread that was just left behind, there is a possibility to be picked up in the last book, but but so much time was spent on it just felt jarring when not wrapped up, and if it was solely to bring the MC’s characters together so they can endlessly discuss theory, it could could been shorter.
I never liked Zac and early on skipped his chapters, which became impossible as the series progressed. I now hate him. His indecision kills people. He has been part of this framework for long enough to not understand peoples grasp for power? I mean come on. Why does no one mention that him trying to give people second chances gets people killed. As a character he has devolved into a risk by being there.
The RuneSmith fight was great with a unsatisfying conclusion.
Giving a character power then having the system capping it because they reached it to soon seems cheap, when in the context and the bulk of this story revolved around pushing yourself to break through and gaining understanding. Then when that power is achieved the system says no, it invalidates the previous chapters and the copious amounts of theory crafting we as readers went through.
I was surprised the domes where not a bigger deal then they where built up to be. I was hoping for weird dome enemies and politics to get the resources of the domes.
All the being said I cannot wait to see how this series wraps up in the last entry. I enjoy Ivan Kal’s writing, the characters, system, and world of this series.