Jenn

I loved the illustrations. It's a quick read (even at nearly 600 pages) but the illustrations will slow you way down, definitely to be savored. There was some beautiful writing and it made me feel quiet, dreamy, and a little melancholy. But for all the closeness and detail we got about the two week trip, my problem with the book is what the author chose to glaze over. Being abused by his babysitter, how his relationship with his brother disintegrates, how he loses his faith, and why he burns Raina out of his life so suddenly and completely. It was frustrating to get to the end and realize that all those threads would just be left unfinished.

I read this book in 3 sittings over a day and a half if that gives you any idea on pacing and the one-more-chapter-what-happens-next element.

Assassins, trials, duels, some mystical otherworldlyness, female friendship, an optional side quest of a love triangle... it just hit the spot.

I will say, as much as I liked Celeana, she was a little too young, too overly talented at very random things, and weirdly oblivious to people sneaking up on her- for an assassin!- and it took me out of the story sometimes.

Still super fun and definitely a reading rut buster.