This book is certainly an Experience. Lol. Tamsyn Muir has such a unique voice and style. It was different than the first one, but good- both for similar and it's own reasons. It wasn't strictly necessary, but I kinda wish I had reread Gideon before reading this one just to make sure I was following all of the nuances. I felt very confused by the end of Gideon and hoped that was on purpose/would get explained. I finished this book feeling... less confused, but still like I'm not seeing/understanding the whole picture. I'm still hoping that's on purpose. I enjoy not being able to guess the whole plot, but I will be a little upset if the trilogy ends with me still confused. However, I love Muir's amazing mix of frank narration and borderline absurdist humor. I am in awe of her POV; I'm an English teacher and I just can't figure out how she does it! It's amazing, though, the way she makes you feel like part of the story. (Also, I feel like I need to reread it with sticky notes this time to be sure I caught all the references, lol.)