Hi! I recently finished the first book in the series then started on the second.
But I have been feeling a bit bothered by the writing. Sometimes it is awful especially when its describing the interaction between characters. At the very end of the first book when they are figuring out how to disable the boat while recovering the messages and Dong Shi (IIRC) is insulting the foreign general, being a really hostile/negative asshole, and then offers a solution using Wang's nanofibers, the general offers Dong Shi all of his cigars and treats him with admiration and respect – it was so absolutely fake and forced that it ruined the immersion, nobody would respect a solution that wasn't from an even playing field – Dong Shi was friends with the person making the solution, it was NOT some genius strategy or anything even close. I'm not sure why that was even in the story.
It made me realize that the author cannot write character interactions at all and I kind of lost respect for him. Since noticing that I notice the flaws a lot more than I did. I really loved the concept behind this world and enjoyed uncovering what was going on as the story progressed. But I don't think I will continue with the second book.
Curious to see if anyone else felt the same? It is an excellent book, but the weak points really start to nag at me.
by -Zoppo