There were some lovely moments that had some Becky Chambers / Terry Pratchett overtones (particularly a subplot relating to a nunnery & a troll). The plot unfolds easily: old hurts are easily mended (“But, darling, I thought you understood!”), crises handily averted, personal growth assured. Cozy and sweet, a good fit as YA. The epilogue and the encounters with an important mage hinted at the author’s ability to tell a more complex and nuanced story.

There was a point in the story where the greedy edicts of the ruling class have led to higher prices for animal feed, economic worry, and the threat of ruin for merchants and traders. Aha, I thought, this is where the story will turn! Instead, this leads exactly nowhere. In fact, a powerful person explains that protagonist is just a foolish girl who doesn’t understand the threats the realm faces, and that the true servants of an empire must be selfish, manipulative, and cold if that’s what duty requires to serve the greater good. The lower classes are ruled over by (mostly) benevolent bureaucrats who don’t need to explain themselves. In fact, the common folk “can go on with their lives now; they can grumble about taxes and make plans for their families’ futures without the weight of fearing what might have been. Because you, and I, and the Crown have carried that burden for them.” On the heels of a recent US election, this was a depressing thought. Thanks, but no thanks, I’ll take my economic policies with explanations, please, with a side order of fearing what might have been. 
 
Also, the Eshteran Crown needs to invest in a far, far better spy network.