Holy smokes, what a ride. I officially never want to be anywhere near the Irontangle! This floor was pure chaos, especially with the team spending most of the story without their manager. There is so much happening, I barely know where to begin.
Once again, we’re fed “trauma nuggets” from Carl’s past that hit like a ton of bricks. The early deaths in this book really grabbed me, but the new additions to the team are fantastic. Katia is amazing, Bautista is a new favorite, and Hekla… what a gamble that was.
I felt for the NPCs so much in this one. The dynamic between Gary and Mongo was wild, and that absolute chaos in the safe space was horrifying. But nothing prepared me for Fire Brandy. I didn’t want that ending for her and her babies, and it completely made me tear up. Tizquick, too… the Nightmare Train went out in a blaze of glory, but I just wanted her and those babies to live.
The author dances on a razor’s edge, balancing the horrific with the fantastic so perfectly you can almost feel him smiling as he writes. The craft behind it is undeniable. Donut is much more loyal and smarter than people give her credit for, and Carl is clearly planting the seeds for something massive. As the title suggests, Carl is definitely cooking.
Also, the revelation about Frank Q and that awful ring hurt so much. P.S. I want Zev back!