[4 Stars] I wanted to revise my review since I recently devoured this entire series, and I have so, so many feelings. The first thing I want to say is that there is some controversy around this series, this book in particular, about a passage that was written about a dreadlock hairstyle and it's use in the Scholomance. I don't condone the use of that passage, and Novik has since apologized and stated that newer publications will not include this passage. I am not black and can make further comments because it's not my apology to accept.

The other comments this book has had, however, about El, her "Indian-ness" etc. I feel I can respond to. I am not Indian. I am Pakistani and have grown up in the US most of my life. I'm "desi," a term that two of the main characters both identify with. Some might say that El is not "Indian" enough, and to them I just want to say... unless you are a desi person who feels that way, please kindly shut up. This is a book about learning to love and accept yourself, accept friendship and make your found family, seek hope amongst other things and there is so much of El that I loved and identified with.