dive into it i expected something more of an elaborated magical circus performance. more mystery. more riddles. but there was nothing more than just creatures flying, shop with various shapes, moving bridges and tunnels, elixir etc. i need to know how the magic works there, how death can be impermanent, how actually exchanging blood could be traded as one’s worth a day life. how wish and hope can be true. there’s something missing about the writer’s way of describing the world building. i sometimes had a hard time visualizing them (or it’s just a ME problem).

the premise was promising. i love games, i love mystery, i love solving clues. i found the first-half was a bit too slow and a bit rushed (and forced) too at the end. stephanie was trying to make jaw-dropped plot twists but only left me underwhelmed by the twists. 

love how scarlett and julian’s relationship escalated slowly, in fact i love them. BUT i do not like them as much as a character. they just kinda… there? didn’t love tella enough to the point i rlly don’t care what could possibly happen to her. legend wasn’t that great after all, still a mysterious character that caught a bit of my attention.

overall it was a fun read. i enjoyed it enough to devour the book in 3 days. the book itself is mid. probably not going to pick up the sequel anytime soon.