angie
i don't know what i expected when i first bought it at a used bookstore 10 years ago, but what i ended up getting was definitely something else. this might be the most bonkers book i have ever read. enjoyable, but bonkers.
4.5 stars
I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did, since I was only reading it for the worldbuilding as set up for reading Six of Crows which I was more interested in reading. However, I was surprised by how invested I became in the story as I kept reading it. The characters are okay, I generally liked side characters more than the main character or the main antagonist. I got lots of the worldbuilding that I wanted, including a magic school which was unexpected but not unwelcome. And while I'm not super invested in the future adventures of Alina and Mal, I care enough about the world that I will continue to read this series to see what happens and how the world changes in response.
3.5 stars
the foreshadowing was about as subtle as a brick to the face, but i didn't predict everything that happened. the resolution was a little “rocks fall, everyone dies” (not everyone actually dies). but the overall vibes were excellent and i liked the main characters. so, half good, half not-so-good. it's alright.
