i saw that this was written by victoria schwab and sank my teeth into it. although i was ultimately disappointed by a darker shade of magic, schwab did show a gift for writing and worldbuilding that i wanted to see more of.

unfortunately, i only realised this was a middle grader's book when i had already marked it on goodreads — and i try, in good conscience, to finish everything i mark as currently reading.

the target audience for this book necessarily makes me receive it with lowered expectations. yet, even so, i find the pacing wildly uneven and the story not that interesting considering the premise. there's potential here that goes sadly unfulfilled, and i'm beginning to think that perhaps schwab is not just a writer suited for my tastes at all.