I can't put my finger on exactly why, but this whole series feels like a chore to read. The only book I was ever excited to pick up was Daja's book, and as a result it was the only to hit four stars. The characters and premise are great and I feel like I should love this series, but I don't. I have to bully myself to get through all of them. It took me over two weeks and I should be able to get through all four in a weekend.

I do like this book a little bit more than Sandry's book, though. Plagues are cool to me, and it was cool to see science used in tandem with magic in a fantasy universe to combat it. They weren't helpless in the face of the sickness. Not only did they have their teas and potions, but they had the education to work on finding cures. It's an idea that I thought was executed well.

This book is also rather sad and had me tearing up at bits. Plagues hit everyone, regardless of status. It even hit some important characters and characters who were meaningful to the story. I cared about them and Piece is good at tugging on your heartstrings.

But I still felt a bit bored this entire book. I never really felt invested, and I never lost track of time the way I do when I'm excited for a book. It just sort of dragged until it was over.

I wouldn't say this series is bad by any means. I actually think it's rather fun, and it definitely goes places in later books within the universe, but it's never going to be a favorite of mine, no matter how much I wish it were. I'd recommend this to people who really like middle grade fantasy or have already read Pierce and enjoyed her. It's still worth a read, even if it's not spectacular to me.