Okay so a lot of cool things about this book. The magic and the world building was so interesting and unlike anything I’ve ever read. It was a bit confusing at times but I get that it’s because we are learning through the main character who knows absolutely nothing either. The idea of The Arcs and how the world was split by ‘an act of God’ is also super interesting, but again I didn’t feel like I got enough details so hopefully it dives in deeper later. Same thing with the Ancestors - super interesting concept that I hope is explained more in coming books.

I was a bit disappointed to be honest. The first half felt super slow and the main character, Ophelia, felt really bland. She spends most of her time in her head and barely talks the entire book. I was glad I got a female protagonist who’s not the super tough fighter trope, but did she have to be so clumsy and did her glasses have to be the biggest component of her personality? However, I will say I enjoyed her character development and think it was actually done well in conjunction with the slow plot.

Eventually, and luckily, things picked up and it got more interesting regarding the intricacies of court. The “romance” however did not. I kept getting excited that something, anything would happened. Thorn’s icy exterior cracks and Ophelia begins to trust him and all is well. Except not so much. Words of endearment like “I’m beginning to get used to you” convinces Ophelia all of a sudden that Thorn is madly in love with her. Not sure how we jumped to that full blown conclusion, but I love some romance so I’m onboard I suppose? Unfortunately that’s pretty much the extent of everything between these two. I guess it doesn’t help that they quite literally only have 7 total interactions the entire book and each interaction is a teeeeny tiny baby step towards something resembling them maybe being acquaintances?

The writing is a bit wacky due to the French translation, but definitely still readable and enjoyable. You can just tell it’s a translation, but again I don’t think it’s fair to critique the prose  of something I’m not reading in its original language. 

Overall, I ended this book feeling a bit iffy, but even so I feel interested enough to read the next one.