I was so excited for this based on the cover alone, and while it didn’t disappoint, it definitely didn’t live up to any expectations I had for it.

I think my biggest issue with this book is that there’s just too much going on. This is clearly a world the author has fully fleshed out in their head, but there’s still some missing pieces on the page. The different ways to be magic (produce magic?) and their hierarchy are underdeveloped, there’s a secret cabal kind of thing whose raison d’etre I was kind of lost on, there’s some banishments… there’s just a lot. Additionally, I really hate a plot that hinges on “we didn’t tell you, our family member, this giant secret that is important to you for reeeeeasons.” Everyone’s an adult! Give them the information necessary to make their own choices for their future and safety. 

I was way more interested in Tilda’s group of like magical outcasts than I was in her relationship with Gil or the actual plot of the book, which I guess doesn’t bode well for me liking the rest of the series. I’ll give the next one a try, though!

Thanks Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC!