I have a lot of mixed feelings about this one. It definitely felt like the middle book in a trilogy. More like a bridge connecting two stories than an actual story in and of itself.
The first half really dragged. The author kept teasing a reveal that seemed so obvious, that it was just annoying that it took the entire first half of the book for Lore to realize it (or come to terms with it, really).

I think the goal of the first half was really for Bastian's descention arc, but it just wasn't very smooth. (Bastian hating but eating cantaloupe could have been such a good clue if both of those things hadn't been told to us at the exact same time.)

There were some weird interactions that didn't quite make sense. Lore as a whole was just kind of a blank slate for whatever the plot needed in that exact moment. 

Lore told Gabe that something was off with Bastian, but he said she was wrong. But later, when Lore is talking to Alie, Alie mentions that Gabe noticed Bastian was different, and instead of being pissed that Gabe brushed her off when he clearly agreed, she's nervous that Gabe is noticing?

It also doesn't make sense to me why Lore withholds the random information that she does, other than to make the plot seem more mysterious.

These people are on your side! Plus her requesting the group to tell Bastian things when she KNOWS telling him is as good as telling Apollius so why is she even asking?

Also, Lore was extremely boring in this one. While she didn't have a lot of agency in the last one, she at least understood that and was making the small decisions she could to try and make the best of the situation. (She knew her limitations!) But in this one she's just sad and confused and the story is playing out around her. Even as she has this insane power she's just kind of...there. I know part of it is to draw parallels between her dynamic and Nyxara's, but because it went on for so long with nothing happening it just felt like slugging through the story.
That being said, the second half went a LOT quicker, and while the God lore was a liiiitle bit info dumpy I found myself really interested in that background history.
My last point of contention is the dialogue sometimes felt weirdly modern but only randomly. It wasn't a huge deal but it just felt a little jarring at times.
I do think, because of the pacing of the last half that I'll end up reading the third one when it comes out. I'm curious to see where the story goes.

Thanks to netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.