I know, exactly! I keep wondering where it is coming from. Maybe just the formal speech? Or... I have no clue. The culture also felt a little off in that it seemed to have grown out of some China and Taiwan (and Malaysia! There's a Malaysia Coalition in the book!) from the past, as opposed to where these places are today.

On the other hand.... I am so chuffed to find more than one Asian culture in a book and actual distinguishing between Chinese and Taiwanese and etc. that I feel bad critiquing.