Ruthless

3,5 stars not because it's bad but because small annoyances are accumulating into an avalanche

As usual, the plot Krout weaves is interesting and refreshing if you've read any gaming novels but minor annoyances are accumulating so much and really hampering my enjoyment of the series.

Side characters are really not her strength. The companions all feel like they're flat with some eccentricity sprinkled on. If they don't get fleshed out that doesn't make them more interesting but exhausting after a time.

If I have to hear Joe whine about or commenting that he doesn't have cleanse anymore after also stating that he can easily relearn at at the college I'm gonna lose it. After his coffee addiction it's the thing he holds very near and dear to his heart and you're telling me he doesn't drop by the college after the first minor inconvenience without it?
Fine, but don't make me have to suffer through him mentioning it all the goddamn time.