The First Binding

I loved this book and I'm certain this will remain one of my favorite stories ever. This isn't a big action packed book, but is more focused on storytelling, characters, myths, mysteries, etc. The south-Asian inspired worldbuilding and its magic is complex, believable and very interesting.

The pacing in this book was perfectly slow and Virdi's prose is lyrical, but also easy to follow. This is a story to be savored and it invites readers to pause at certain scenes to let it all in.

I understand that this book might not be for everybody, but it certainly was for me! It was a place of rest and immersive reading in the midst of a turbulent point in my life. I'm very glad that the sequel is coming soon! I already pré-ordered the beautiful The Broken Binding edition and I can't wait to get back to Ari's story/stories.