While I enjoyed the first in the series and was looking forward to this book, this one was a bit of a let down. The Brone character becomes even more of a caricature, the idea that Natch just rides the train a lot gets more unlikely, and that the nature of Multireal is de facto AI based is avoided. Also too many references to contemporary present, as if these characters would know anything about it. A lot of false notes, and a lot of empty dialogue and incomplete scene setting. Still going to finish the series though.