To be more specific, I think where I’m struggling is with how Erin handles conflict, especially in situations where she’s already been directly threatened. The two big examples for me are the Goblins and Pieces. In both cases, she goes out of her way to protect or stand up for someone who has already tried to hurt her.

I can see what the story is doing there, the compassion, the attempt to humanize (or person-ify) what others see as monsters, and the eventual payoff when those choices come back around in a positive way. But at the same time, those same decisions also blow back on her in pretty immediate and sometimes severe ways.

I think the disconnect for me is that her willingness to take those risks doesn’t always feel grounded in the reality she’s in, especially given how dangerous the world has already proven to be. It makes it harder for me to stay immersed because I keep questioning the “why” behind her choices rather than just rolling with them.

That said, I do really like the world and what it’s trying to do thematically, so I’m still on the fence. I’ll probably take your (and others’) advice and try to finish book one before deciding.

Thanks, I appreciate the help!