So torn on this book. Full of tired old tropes, trying too hard to avoid black and white characters by making everything grey, it was very difficult to evoke any kind feelings towards any of the characters. Saving graces were really the characters of Michi and Hana who were really the only ones who surprised me, kicking serious ass. Mostly saved by a furious, action-packed final section when all the threads came together in Kigen. Guess I'll have to read the final book after all.

I am still pissed about the heavy-handed, cliche storytelling that explains Kin's turnaround.