I talk about this book in this mini reading wrap-up video!

I was following Older on social media before I picked up this book, so I'm going to say that I was predisposed to liking it. I was ready to love this and... I didn't. I think it's almost more disappointing because all of the potential was there, but I just felt like there was a lack of depth, in terms of plot and characters, that kept me at an arm's length from the story overall. I really did like the characters as they were introduced and there were so many things about the community and family that I thought were relatable to me, which is always fun to encounter in fiction. There isn't a ton of character progression, though, and that is felt more keenly on top of a plot that seems a little too patched together.

Again, I liked the premise and the world, but then things started to come apart a little bit from there. It often felt like the next thing that came in the plot was either too convenient or too much out of left field. That's what I mean by "patched together."

One of the best things about this books is perhaps also one of the worst. It was an incredibly quick read and while that certainly makes for an entertaining reading experience, it also served to enhance that feeling I had that this book could've done a little more or gone a little deeper. The main character is great, but it feels like we rush right by ever side-character and every villain. I could tell you the premise of this book, but it would be more difficult to explain what happened on from there, but I'm not entirely sure...

Even with all that, I still found this entertaining, interesting and full of potential. There were moments of magic that were described so wonderfully and vividly that I got lost in the scene completely. I will definitely read more from Older, as I think he's got talent. I hope he gives his other stories or his next story a little more room to grow and breathe.