Notorious Sorcerer

This book had a lot of potential and is a solid 3.5 for me. I have a feeling the sequels will improve would her higher rankings from me. The worldbuilding was fun and a I liked the way social strata was handled. The bravi were one of my favorite parts. I also appreciated the way women were treated for the most part. Clothing etc. was described but it never felt gross.
Things done well:
-worldbuilding
-relationships, though sometimes it felt like too much tell and not enough show
-The magic system has potential and feels more unique than some I've seen recently.
- The MC struggles and the first thing he tries doesn't always work. Yay troubleshooting!
Things that got a meh:
-The cast size combined with some people having multiple names was hard for me because I am bad with names.
-Certain world building things got repeated too much. I know, the characters know. Please chill
-The MC got mighty close to chosen one territory, which I do not enjoy
Overall: a decent book that doesn't feel like a retread. There are far worse things my father could have checked out from the library.

Full disclosure: I've known the author for a bajillion internet years (this is an actual measurement of time) and she sent me an ARC.

I can't even tell you how fun this was - cosy tropes encased in beautiful language and FEELS, because obviously. Mage from the slums who can do ‘impossible' things, because he hasn't been taught they're impossible. Should-be debutante who instead hangs out with the lower classes and gets her eyes opened to social and class injustice. A fight against prejudice and authoritarianism.

BUT ALSO, inter- and extra-planar shenanigans, a cracking pace, a delicious romance (FEELS), and a sidekick I did not see coming. 

This was the most fun I have had reading a book in a very long time. Years, probably. This book is a thrill-ride in all the right ways. The characters are often charming and witty (the good ones, at least), and the antagonists are properly threatening. It's a high stakes adventure that keeps a mostly fast pace that keeps you interested. Definitely one of my favorite books from 2022 and will probably be one of my favorite reads from 2023.