I just couldn't get into this. I'm not even sure how far I am since I'm reading a Kindle compilation. While I loved Bridge of Birds and liked the second one this one just felt like more of the same. Maybe the Only Girl In The Book who of course Ox Is In Love With doesn't die, and maybe one of the two supposed allies isn't _actually_ the bad guy but I just can't muster the interest to read on and find out. It had random tangents about the culture and history that were poorly integrated into the narrative. And you know, it seemed to have most of the elements that made Bridge of Birds so close to perfect? Fairy tales and puzzles and trickery and mythical China and a mystery. But they just didn't line up this time. Maybe the dying children were really important to my engagement? 
 I just tried to skim to the end and I made it through 2% and it was full of... nonsense with a tiny amount of content. I have 10% left. If anybody knows how it ends, let me know!