Burning Glass

WOW. Just finished reading and not totally sure what to say yet but WOW. I'll post a full review closer to release, but if you're a fan of YA Fantasy seriously add this one to your TBR lists.

My only regret in reading this is I need the sequel and the first book hasn't even been published yet. The struggle.

Full review:

Right from the start, Burning Glass drew me in with probably one of the most intense first chapters I've read in a long time.

Burning Glass is the type of book that grabs you by the throat from the first page and doesn't let go until the end. With fascinating court politics, very complicated characters (and no pure evil antagonist), intense conflict and so many fascinating layers of world building, I really loved reading this. The world vaguely reminded me of a Shadow and Bone Russia-type setting, but the magic was completely unique and soooooo interesting to read about. I loved some characters, hated others, was suspicious of many more and all in all really enjoyed reading this.

I will say there was one background mythology and a throwaway line about it that was kind of ableist, that I didn't love, and the love triangle didn't work for me in that one character was...not a viable option to me at all for spoilery reasons. But neither of those points ruined the book for me, personally, and I still found it a very enjoyable read.

Overall, Burning Glass is a wonderfully written, very exciting and emotional YA Fantasy, and I can't wait to read the next book.

Diversity note: Sadly, I don't remember there being much of any.

I picked this book out to read because I liked the cover. Probably. I read a lot of books, and spend a lot of time looking at books, sometimes I get them confused.

Sonya is a auraseer, which means she feels what others around her are feeling. It also seems to mean that she acts on those feelings, she is extremely impulsive, and has no sense of self. She doesnt know how to control her auraseer-nees, and she ends up in a bad position. Well, for her. She ends up as the emperor's auraseer, his protector. Then, this becomes one huuuuuuge love triangle, in which Sonya cannot discern her own feelings from the feelings she is feeling around her. Complicated? Yup. Does it get boring? A little. I don't understand how both brothers fall in love with her when one of them has only been around her for a few moments, and the other one has but they dont even know each other. Most of the time when Valko and Sonya are together, Valko is yelling at Sonya, granted they do spend plenty of time kissing, so I guess there is that.

And, HOW, at the end did she convince him to do that thing? That made no sense to me. I am pretty sure I won't be continuing this series because, well, it honestly was just another book. Nothing stood out to me, I only finished it because I made it more than half way before I realized I wasn't enjoying this book.