My biggest criticism of the book is that is was a little slow to get going. Travelling, camping, contemplating. Not bad things, per se, but not exactly an enticing start, either.

Once Koli and co reach Birmagen the story actually starts to pick up. It follows them on a months-long, several seasons journey, and while I got a genuine sense of time passing as things happened and characters evolved, it didn’t drag. Seeing more of this world as well as what’s left behind of the old one was fascinating. More tech and threats posed by people from other places, streets of bones and decayed buildings. I couldn’t get enough. The characters are what truly drive Koli’s story. Koli himself is so naive in many ways yet so unintentionally wise in others. He is the perfect narrator for this story.

While Koli’s story is very much a group effort, with each character bringing something to their journey and goals. Spinner’s story, however, is very much a one-woman show.

Spinner is all but alone while learning the secrets of the Ramparts and their tech back in Mythen Rood. Despite it all being new to her, she asks the right questions and has the right kind of intelligence to get results.

The end of both stories left me desperate for more.

A longer review can be read on my book blog: Marvel at Words.