I heard about this book via TikTok (as so many have), and when I saw this one floating around on my library's shelves, I thought "What the heck, why not?"

I am a huge character driven reader, and to be honest, that is largely what this book is about. The author did a good job of making each character feel distinct. While I didn't love any of the characters, I liked them, or I liked hating them. It was interesting to see how they interacted with each other given their different specialties.

My biggest gripe with this book is that the final task for these characters feels completely unbelievable to me. We are CONSTANTLY told how awesome the Society is, how exclusive and cool, but none of the character's experiences make me feel like this is something anyone should want to die for. For the majority of the time, they are just hanging out in this mansion....studying. They are almost never allowed to leave. Nothing that they study makes me believe anyone would want to be there that long.

Which leads me to the writer's style. There is far too much telling and not enough showing. And while I don't mind magic systems that don't go too in depth, this book could benefit from a bit more information being handed out. 

The ending though!!! The last 60-70 pages had me hooked!