Farhan

Sanderson followed up his worst book ever (Frugal Wizard) with imho the best thing he's written.

Nothing actually happens in this book. It's just the same thing over and over with a toxic and completely unlikeable main character. And then it just ends without resolution in an open ending. I guess you could get something out of this if you're looking for commentary about the human condition, but at no point did this book entertain me.

I found the concepts in this book and the “magic” system to be very unique. IMO this is secretly a sci-fi book masquerading as a fantasy. Overall some neat twists and ends the book off in a satisfying way yet promises even more to come.

I almost never reread books but today I reread this one so I can binge the whole series when the final book comes out in a few days. Been awhile since I read this (almost exactly 3 years) so it was as engaging a read the second time. I love the character work done here because the Lee/Annie relationship is fascinating and what really drives the book for me. The writing has a maturity rarely seen in YA, and it's criminal this never got more popular.

Now to see if the rest of the series holds up!

I have to say I wasn't pulled in like the previous book. I figured out some major twists within the first few chapters so the rest of the book became a slog waiting for the narrative to catch up. Also there were really questionable relationship decisions that occurred?? Also also a lack of Orion screen time. I did like the ending and the atmosphere of the book so not a complete dud, but leaving the magic school left some of the magic out of the story too.