This was a really good book, but I have no idea how to describe it. Every 100 pages or so, it stapled on a new genre. I got a good heft through the book before I realised it had a magic system. The best thing I could compare it to storywise is Final Fantasy XIV prior to the Realm Reborn reboot. It actually reads very much like a darker take on the Final Fantasy formula of magitech and intelligent beast races.

There was a particular bit near the start that actually gave me chills and kept me up at night. Like a lot of Adrian Tchaikovsky the book explores non-human intelligence. It is set at the effective end of humanity in a very sputtering-to-a-stop take on the apocalypse, which is refreshing. I would definitely recommend this book.

It is very funny that a lot of reviews mention misogyny because the women in the prison aren't nice, bless 'em xxx