(This is copy pasted from my goodreads post in November of 2021, but I wanted to include it here):
I was somewhat hesitant to start this one because I’m really not all that interested in Arthur/Merlin stuff for fear of unoriginal/boring magic and worldbuilding, but this series is taking its own spin on things with a beautifully fresh story.
There were several twists that I actually didn’t expect, a magic system that was interesting and unique, and several scenes that got my heart pounding with excitement or fear.
Worldbuilding/magic: I was a little discouraged for the beginning bits because a lot of stuff was getting explained rather quickly and it seemed like Bree sort of just downloaded all the info way easier than I could follow it. Streamlined worldbuilding. But around the middle section, there was a new magic system introduced in a much more organic and easier to follow way. I’m still not solid on the whole Order hierarchy and how some of the magic works, but I understood enough that the ending was still intense and a super pleasant shock and I had a fair understanding of how all the twists worked.
Themes: The themes of conservatives vs progressives was super timely. I was actually angry how much the antagonist sounded almost exactly like people I knew. It was real and raw. I also love that our MC was such a strong protagonist of identities that are still frowned upon and considered weak and unworthy in the eyes of real life people that hold similar beliefs to our antagonist here. And I don’t mean strong as in muscle or magic, but agency and decision.
We also had strong themes of ancestry, and I can not get one particular scene about a certain wall of ancestors out of my mind. It was so powerful and personal to Bree. I adore the messages and strength it sends to the reader.
Romantic love: I was super worried about a love triangle in this book. I had read somewhere that it would definitely have one and early on I knew exactly who it would be. It is a bit tropey and there were some moments that felt cliche and annoying to me, but for the most part it’s actually not bad or annoying, and I’m actually holding out for a twist of its own in the next book!
Platonic love: Personal preference, but can we please include our friends in our adventures when they first start next time? Like, what are friends for if not to face the world with you, or at least support you as you face your own world?
Parental love: Her dad is a really good dad. ❤ Other parents are spoilers, but they are well-written. 😀
Other: I kept having to remind myself that she is sixteen. When I remembered that, I began to question some stuff. I feel like this could have been done better; she feels a bit older than sixteen…
I look forward to the next book!
N. K. Valek: Author 