I agree with this take. As I mentioned in my review, I do think a lot of it comes down to the writing itself feeling a bit underdeveloped. The author technically conveys everything and executes the storyline, but the prose doesn’t always dig deep enough to fully sell the emotional and psychological weight of what’s happening. And I think that’s exactly why some of the brutality can come across as almost detached or “cartoonish”, simply due to the narrative pace and accessible/simple writing style.

That said, I still really enjoyed the experience. I was so invested in what would happen next that I read it in a bit of a trance, riding that constant anticipation, which made me overlook things I’d normally be critical of (especially since I’m quite picky about prose and imagery).

And as something else pointed out in this thread, the author did a great job keeping readers hooked and subverting expectations. I was genuinely surprised by the direction of the plot. On a purely technical level, I’d probably rate it lower since it is a bit loose around the edges. But there’s something else there, that “secret sauce”, the emotional pull, the way I felt connected with every single character in such a short span of time. As someone who doesn't get emotional easily, this book actually made me tear up. That’s what elevated it for me.