So, as I said, started playing the love routes yesterday.
Book 1 seemed very much like the slave route for me.
Book 2... Well, I knew you play as Zuko, so the beginning being so alike confused me. But after a while character interactions started getting more in-depth, since Zuko lost his memory but the others did not and he is re-learning things about them, sometimes Zuko's instincts are there to guide him but others he has to fend for his new self. Wonder how things will progress later.
Then I got to crab battles, which in the slave routes are introduced only on book 3 as far as I remember. And now they make much more sense AND are much more fun!
By the way, still think Shady may be future you due to future events, but... curious now why the first time you meet he makes a snake-like sound, just like the... snake spirit lady. Doubt he is actually her though. Can't wait for the ending chapter to explain it all.