Whoa Nelly was this a beast of book and it was FANTASTIC. 

By page 339, I was of the mind that this was a 5-star read. And it may actually be a 5-star read. Because I was having all the vibes with this book. All of them. But I’ve been hurt by books before, so I don’t feel comfortable committing to that because yeah, basically I don’t trust the trilogy as a whole yet. I need the sequel NOW in order to see how things play out because my rating could shift based on the overarching plot and its execution. 

The reveal at the end was predictable. I knew it was coming, but I also kinda wanted that result at the same time, so I'm not overly bothered by it. But I’m also not sure I feel about that. The hesitancy in me is what prevents this from being a 5-star read. I’m like 99% sold, but that 1% left is really holding its own. 

It is also quite slow paced. Which was fine for me - I was digging it. It allowed for so much background and groundwork to be placed in such an effortless way - truly, it was wonderful. The first 200 pages were very foundational but it was also very necessary for the plot. It took a moment to settle in with the pacing being as it was, but now I'm that finished the story, I see the need for it now that I’m done. 

I loved ALL of the characters. The characterization was on point, the relationships and how they evolved and were bent and utilized was brilliant. Grey especially has got a revenge backstory waiting to be unleashed and it just breeds heartache and betrayal in the best possible way. And Ren? Oh Ren. She’s calculating and quick and cold and I live for it. She is the con artist grifter of my dreams and I feel like I've been waiting forever to find a character like her and connect so hard. Vargo on the other hand, is still so mysterious and such an unknown factor, I can't wait to get to explore his backstory and motivations more fully in the sequel, especially if we get to see how Alsius and him began. 

Which brings me to the worldbuilding and the spectacular political manoeuvring and machinations in this. I loved all of it. It was just working for me, especially with how it all is interwoven with the plot and the characters. Once the magic system and all of its fantastical wonder starts being fully explored in the plot? It’s magnificent. I don't quite understand all of it between the numinatria and the patterning but it doesn't even matter because I believe it will all come together in the end. That's how much faith I have in this author duo. 

And the plot itself? Is just so well structured. The end of each Part (there are 4) packs a fucking punch, and each Part has its own kind of mini-arc in addition to pushing the main plot along. And it’s perfection. The further I got in this book, the more I fell for it, and very quickly was in awe of how much this plot was just DOING IT for me. It was such a web; there’s so many threads underlying and twisting and combining and knitting and just genuinely getting all tangled, but it’s all with the intent to come out with a finished product that I cannot wait for. 

Some thoughts of note that came to me towards the end of the novel: 

-

Are we going to get an explanation for how Sedge has distanced himself from Vargo and the Fox Spiders?

- Someone is going to die in the next book I’m gonna be really sad about it.
- I really don’t like Sibiliat and I really think that she’s going to play a major role in the sequel. And that upsets me. Because I don’t like her. But that also means Giuna will have a large role. She’s been groomed by Sibiliat for some reason that is yet to be seen.
- Just me waiting on Vargo’s backstory.
- Ren’s vulnerability lies in what she does not know. With respect to her heritage and father. And that is her major weakness, which I think (hope) will be explored the in the rest of the trilogy.
- Vargo’s perspective does not divulge much of his connection to the Acrenix family, and that irritates me.

I cannot wait for the sequel. I impulsively pre-ordered it before I had even finished this one and have no shame in admitting it. Because I can't seem to stop thinking about this book, and every time it creeps up in my thoughts and I find my self thinking about it, I just get all these warm and fuzzies flooding my soul. This book spoke to me on a spiritual level and just fed my soul with all of it.
 
I cannot recommend it enough if you're looking for compelling characters, all of the political machinations your heart could desire, and a city that is alive as much as its inhabitants as it thrives on both magic and lies.