a solid conclusion to the series, albeit still with some continuity weirdness relative to the other books (especially, in this case, The Dragon) and a very rushed conclusion. I’m still unsatisfied by how little Kamoko we got relative to the other Thunders, though. also, although this is a minor point, it’s not clear to me that Sullivan is clear on Toku’s position — if, as was established in The Crane, he’s an Emerald Magistrate (which is how he’s referred to at two points in this book as well), how does he get to serve in Toturi’s army? also. Yoritomo. I get why there isn’t a novel for the Mantis, since they don’t have a Thunder, but — they could at least have stood to, like, introduce Yoritomo and his clan at any point in the series (other than that one passing reference to the Mantis in The Crab) before using him as a deus ex machina in the final book.
overall, the series suffers from a lack of consistency re the timeline and some ineffective characterization. I still think The Unicorn is the strongest book, followed by The Scorpion; I’d put The Lion in third — it’s not perfect, but after six books it provides some satisfying emotional payoff.
not gonna lie, though, Matsu Tsuko should have been the Lion Thunder, and yes, I’m mad about her death.
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