Stars (Out of 10): 4/10 Star

Favorite Character: I want to go for a side character, but each time I think of one I find issues with them :(

Spoiler Free: I really really liked the concept of this book, and even parts of the book itself, but the execution overall was not good.

On the subject of plot, it was overall good but stalled a lot. In the end, I liked how the plot started and ended (not the actual ending of the book, mind you), even though the final twist wasn’t all that surprising. The twist itself was hinted at way too much, and even said by a side character, but the main character was just not entertaining the possibility.

Additionally, while the world was interesting, it feels like we didn’t get enough of it. We got the bare minimum explanation needed for each point of the book, and any questioning of the world/magic was met with one of the characters mentioning the five-eyed god and not to question it, that’s just how things were. I hope this improves in the sequel, although I am unsure yet if I’m reading it.

I did actually like most of the side characters, but it feels like most of them weren’t actually developed enough. This was mainly due to the constant switching of friends the MC experienced, and as soon as someone new was introduced, the older characters seemed to be forgotten about. For example, when we meet Valoria/when she starts playing a bigger role in the story, Odessa starts moving away from her long-time friends, Jax and Simeon. This led to them occasionally showing up still, but never getting anymore character building/attention. This happened a second time as well, as another character was introduced after Valoria and the MC moved on quickly again.

Overall, I think Odessa is probably my main cause for disliking this book. I did not agree with how she handled things for the most part, and her dramatics. First off, she acted as if she cared so much about her friends, yet ditched them at every turn (as mentioned above). Additionally, her addiction plot was originally being pulled off well, but it disappeared as soon as the plot kicked back in again, making it seem like filler plot.

I also was not a fan of the relationships within this book, as there were cheap moments of tension (further explained below due to spoilers.)

Lastly, parts of the writing style also annoyed me. While overall it was decent, it was overly annoying in the first 100 pages, and extremely noticeable. From everyone winking at each other to things being mentioned but never explained, I was put off very quickly, and that probably caused me to judge each later part of the book more harshly.

Careful! Spoilers beyond this point!

Spoilers: In terms of leaving her friends, I was really disappointed in Odessa in the end. She supposedly has a revelation on how important it is to show your friends you love them while they’re still here, but then ditches them all without a goodbye at the end of novel (on Valoria’s coronation day as well! When she is worried about having to rule!)

Additionally, it seemed like the entire book was built on Odessa and having her identity rooted in being the Sparrow, in being a necromancer. However, instead of discovering her own identity, and learning to accept herself regardless of how famous she is to the public, she instead just adopts her dead boyfriend’s dreams/identity when she leaves to go on his adventures. Like that’s sweet and all, but doesn’t follow the arc of the book well at all.

Lastly, a friendship between Meredy and Odessa could’ve been amazing, them learning to live with their grief together. However, the author instead forms a romance between them (to hit the LGBT boxes maybe? I dunno, the whole bi arc of Odessa felt cheaply done at moments, and unnatural.) Not only was it weird because Meredy was the sister of Odessa’s dead boyfriend, but Meredy is also freshly grieving. And then in the end, when they find each other on the ship, it seems like there were never any romantic feelings at all?? Honestly, it was just all over the place.