If the first book was an unexpected surprise, this one was even more of a surprise. I had no inkling as to what might happen in this book and how it might be resolved. It was shocking, surprising and exhilarating. I have never read anything like this. Needless to say, I have immediately started reading the next book, which is regrettably the last one in the series, downfall of trilogy. Note for future readers: This book makes no sense if you did not read Ex-Pacifist first.
There are so many surprises and unexpected turns in this book, it kept me awake at night. I simply could not put it down. High octane action from first to last page. No breaks. And a warning for standalone novel lovers, you better get the omnibus right from the start because just like the first book, this one has an open ending, with only some of the issues resolved and many more left for the next book. I am very glad I found this after the whole trilogy was completed!
Apart from being a great story and amazingly written with all the right character development, this book contains a complete new world building in such detail that it felt like I was there. And the development of Vera is amazing. I knew she had potential!
As I described in the first book: "She is a combination of very skilled diplomat and strategist, and a completely naive little girl. At times, her naivete borders on stupidity and gets her in impossibly difficult situations." That is how she starts and ends the first book. How she ends this book is by being an even better diplomat and strategist, as well as a strong and independent warrior and a leader. Her transformation is shocking. Insecure little girl becomes confident and ruthless as she sheds away layers of indoctrination and false beliefs imposed on her. She maintains her compassion and never looses the view of the bigger picture. The author brilliantly and masterfully implemented gradual changes that occurred in Vera, and created one of my favourite leading female characters thus far.
The reading order of the series is as follows: Roman Adrift (Matsumoto Trilogy, #0.5) (even better if read after the book#1), The Ex-Pacifist (Matsumoto Trilogy, #1), The Splitting (Matsumoto Trilogy, #2), and The Matsumoto (Matsumoto Trilogy, #3). The three novels also come as a book set The Matsumoto Trilogy: Omnibus Edition (Matsumoto Trilogy #1-3). Amazing futuristic series and I highly recommend it.