Oh this is complicated
4 stars
The first book: the pacing of worldbuilding is exemplary; the pacing of relationships is sufficiently fucked to bump you out of the story; what a shame
The second book: oh shit, the pacing of relationships was secretly characterization
The third book: oh shit, the pacing of relationships was secretly worldbuilding
If you like Greek and Norse mythology, the bioengineering parts of Vlad Taltos, the biblical parts of Neverwhere, and the military teambonding parts of Peripheral, this book is for you. It is brutal, repeatedly, but incredibly sticky.
Massive, klaxon, wee-ooo CNs for child abuse, sexual assault, medical assault, and chronic emotional manipulation. Also some light gore and body horror in the violent fighting bits but tbh that hardly registered, considering.