🗝️🔔

knocking off .25 of a star because i loathe first-person pov. that being said, i had a lot of fun reading this. every twist and turn kept me hooked, and i really enjoyed ferreting out every bit of worldbuilding that the author gave us a peek of.

i keep accidentally starting series, so i was disappointed when the end of the book left me with more questions than answers, but that's on me for not realising that this book isn't a standalone. i do look forward to picking up the second book at some point, in the hopes that the aforementioned questions have interesting answers.

i struggled a lot, starting this one; the first quarter of the book felt like it dragged, and at several points I found myself checking how far along i was, thinking surely we were almost to a point of climax, only to realise i was only 30% along, and had long to go yet.

that being said, once this book gets going, it *goes*. i have noted a distinct fondness for fae creatures, places, and structures in Novik's work, and this book doesn't disappoint in that regard. there's some really excellent worldbuilding, politics, bargains, magic, and just a little bit of murder (for spice). i devoured the back half of this book like a demon made of flame itself would (and can i mention how satisfying that ending was?).

what a fun little adventure this book was! the blurb grabbed me in the bookstore when i bought it last year & again the other night when i was looking for something to read, & the plot quickly drew me in.

i really enjoyed the way magic & its use was set up in this, & how the different Londons felt about it! i always enjoy a fresh use of magic in a story & this system intrigued me.

i really didn't like Lila at first, but as i kept reading she grew on me. i can admire a woman who grows with the narrative. 😌 (that little aside about her eyes didn't go unnoticed, either...👀) as for Kell...well, i love a man with heterochromia, what can i say 😩

it felt so good to delve into the world of the Old Kingdom once again, & to learn more about Sabriel's parents!!

i found myself wishing that the plot was less...straightforward, however. everything felt easily resolved, with none of the plot twistiness i came to love in Sabriel and Lirael, & character development felt very linear with relatively little to overcome to reach plot goals. despite those drawbacks, however, i enjoyed getting to know Elinor & her heritage especially.