I feel like the author has a touch of talent for (melo-)dramatic flair, that is slightly wasted because they are too eager to indulge in it without laying the proper groundwork.
As it is, I get a good whiff of the emotions that the author intended to evoke, yet at the same time stare there a little going, "god, that's dumb".
I certainly want to read more, though, even if it's with some apprehension.