I will say book three there’s much more action and the science/ideas are pretty epic. Even though book 2 dragged a bit for me, it’s big “twist” was surprising that it still makes me smile years later.

Some people read sci-fi for the ideas and philosophy. Other for the pew-pew. You just may like the ladder more.

I didn’t enjoy book 2 as much as 1 and 3 and I think it has to do with the different translator. The ideas in book 2 are still pretty mind bending so overall I still liked it. But this series is more about the science and ideas. It’s a not a character driven story which a lot don’t like.