Brian Yi appears again! This time with a slightly odd event at the end that's seriously, yes, odd. Especially because we've had nearly no foreshadowing again this time, making it come out of nowwhere. I don't want to spoiler it, but let's just say it's sci-fi like this time. Sort of.
After reading book 3 with Marcia I realised that I'm not that fond of reading Brian's POV. He's ruled by his first mode, self-sacrifice, fully aware of it, and doesn't fight it at all. He "adapts" his mode for his goals, and while that makes him more powerful, it makes him more boring as a person. Denis fought against his first mode, greed, and Marcia did, as well. Their personalities shined through. With Brian, everything is shadowed by his first mode. A pity really, as he has an interesting personality as well. Especially because he does continue growing as a character.
In this book, the main focus is on Brian's trauma & trouble with the police. While his reactions to the guys always make him seem over-the-top and insane, his argumentations are actually still understandable, even if he can only see his one side of things. He doesn't even try to see the perspectives of his team mates, instead always trying to make himself the victim. That gets old fast. Also gets annoying when police comes again and again and he tries to kill them all again and again, despite having to realise that it's an obvious set-up to make him seem evil. (Actually, most of that part was in book 3 with Marcia I believe, but it's also used in this one, so there you go.)
Brian actually grows though as a character. He notices when something seems wrong and doesn't start killing immediately. No, he starts an investigation. I just hope that next time the police does something stupid, he won't try to kill them all again... no promises on that one though.
The plot was for the most part solid - except that seriously odd part at the end, which just made me go, whot? - and the story was interesting. So yes, recommended! Be aware of more dumb actions of Brian though! Seriously, his weakness isn't his love for his group, it's the police.