Close to 4.5 stars, probably. I think this was actually stronger than the first book honestly. 
 It took the strengths of the first book and amplified them. The characters were stronger, felt stronger, probably because you were able to actually get into their heads this time around. The creepy and unsettling atmosphere definitely got me again. Some parts are just profoundly eerie and I knew I wasn't going to be able to read it at night. 
 Unfortunately, it also amplified some of the weaknesses of the first book. Like, I still don't really care about Cormac. Like at all. Thankfully, his role in this book was much diminished. And his plotline was kind of... I don't know, grating? Like so straight white dude it hurt? 
 And speaking of things I could've done without, can we just cut it out on the Hepburn romanization of Japanese PLEASE EVERY BOOK EVER WHY. Like, I get leaving some words in untranslated for effect (like kaiju) or keeping in some honorifics, but it turned into actual dialogue in this book. My dude, no one has to say "hai" they can just say "yes" IT'S FINE. 
 The back half of Mikiko's plotline also felt really... weird? Like weirdly fetishistic at the end? I don't know. Whatever it was just didn't quite sit right with me for whatever reason. 
 I'm ragging on this book a lot, but I promise I really did enjoy it! I wasn't sure initially that I was sold on the idea of a sequel at all, since it sort of felt like a ploy. Parts of the plot kind of felt like that too while I was reading it, but not enough to detracted from my enjoyment. I'm really glad I picked this up actually and I can't believe I have to sit around and wait for the conclusion now!!