I went into this afraid to accidentally let me expectations get too high. I had heard a lot of great things about it and I just *knew* it was going to let me down despite how much I wanted to love it because that is what always happens. But you know what?! IT WAS SO GOOD. It lived up to the hype. The only thing that bothers me is

that the adults/professors of this school are so okay with the stupid body torturing one another. That and the order system- it seems strange that people can be whatever they are (vampire, siren, dragon, etc) without inheriting that from genetics. Like… it seems strange that a werewolf and harpy could randomly have a kid and it be something other than a werewolf or harpy. I feel like that should be genetic instead of a complete random gamble.

The rest of the world/magic system is awesome though. Such a unique twist with the horoscope aspect. The 4 elemental magics have been constantly thinking of Avatar the last airbender though haha. It throws me off when the earth wielders manipulate plants instead of rock. 

I’m so excited to read the rest of the series. I hope it is this good the entire way through. 

I need a cheat sheet of who’s whose because I can’t keep these people straight… I started to keep notes as I was going so I could try to remember everyone/everything. 

Signs:

And my commentary while reading…

• 10% I love that this is a magic system where people do not have their magic awakened until they are 18. While Hogwarts and the traditional school aged children magic school is great, this university level magic world is a fun change. 
• I was not so sure about the idea of changelings when Orion first said it, but this girl saying she’s never met a changeling before makes the idea seem cooler and less stupid. 
• I wonder which house they will choose. And what the reputations of each house is. If I had to guess, I would say fire is the Slytherin of the group. The rebellious tough kids. Earth would have to give Hufflepuff vibes. Down to earth. Maybe a bit hippy. I’m not sure about the other 2 though. First thought is ravenclaw is air because I associate the air nation of the avatar being the best and of course the mascot being winged doesn’t hurt… 
• 15% “Orders”… vampire. werewolf. Siren. I guess that explains why Caleb took a chunk out of Tory. I wonder what they will be. Seth must be a siren. He’s very touchy. 
• 18% You know when you start a book that’s been hyped and you get super nervous about trying to keep your expectations reasonable so that you don’t ruin the book by expecting too much? That’s me. With this book. Sofia just explained that vampires are one of the orders and the orders determine how one replenishes their magic. Idk why but that idea is so much more exciting than a normal vampire. Do the sirens get their power from touch? Is that why the air group is so touchy? Or more specifically from like sexual touch/excitement?  
• 36% Orion removed her mid with heat, water, and air. So he has three powers?? Although she says “Orion had essentially put me through a car wash with his Elements of air and water.” So I guess the heat wasn’t a fire thing and the water/air was somehow just magically warm. 
• 39% what was the point of even meeting with Orion. He didn’t teach her a single thing other than her parentage. He was supposed to be teaching her to create shields to block coercion. If he was just going to send her articles to read he could have done that hours ago and maybe prevented some of the torment she has gone through. 
• 46% it’s about damn time someone offered to teach them to shield! Thank you Sofia!! 
• 77% I am so tired from staying up way too late reading last night. I had a theory/wish that I couldn’t note at the time because I was reading in bed without my phone and was too lazy to go get it…. WHAT IF. What if each sister pairs off with 2 heir boys and they rule in this crazy polyamorous conglomeration lol. Because Darcy should totally wind up with Seth and Max and Tory should totally wind up with Caleb and Darius. 
• 86% eekkkk Caleb just kissed Tory
• 94% aghhh I have absolutely no idea who I can trust! Part of me thinks that the heirs and Orion are not out to get them. Part of me thinks that Diego might turn out to be email. After all, he was in this magical world his whole life and he doesn’t know his order? And what’s with the hat? And he was from a place faraway. None of these are particularly damning facts but I don’t trust him. 
• OMG SETH I TRUSTED YOU! WHAT A FOOL WE BOTH WERE TO TRUST YOU! 
• 97% I’m now convinced that we are going to have a forbidden teacher romance. I’m probably crazy once again. Ignore my romantic tendencies. 
• 99% oh god the burnt person is totally the falling star professor dude