My first reaction was very positive. A great magic system, hardboiled detective fiction of the 30's, very well drawn characters, and, of course, mystery. And then it ebbed away completely from the mystery and turned into a war drama against the Japanese, throwing espionage in the mix. And then it became an epic struggle between brothers and the battle of ideology and a really fascinating enemy, the Chairman. I liked him very much, and not only because he was so secure in everything he did, but that he was charitable. 
 Did I say I liked the magic system? I did. 
 This is a very different kind of book from the Monster Hunters Inc books. There's a great deal of worldbuilding and alternate histories here that make it a plain delight. Whatever I had expected, I didn't quite believe it would be this good. 
 It was very good.