Overall, I enjoyed the story. It was a comic-book-style novel with a gritty underbelly, morally grey characters, and a touch of fantasy. It was a good introduction into what fantasy can be, as I’m not hugely interested in fantasy myself. The fantasy element wasn’t too overwhelming, but instead fairly believable, which I liked.    

I liked the shifting timelines. It brought an element of surprise to the story, while also telling the story in an interesting, dynamic way. I liked that it was non-linear and V.E. Schwab creates these shifting timelines masterfully, as they’re not confusing, but conclude the story in a neat, concise fashion. 

I wish I could say I enjoyed these characters more. I really could not connect with a single one in a way that was meaningful. While they were well-written characters, I did not find myself feeling particularly close to one or the other, which is a rare occurrence for me. I truly did not care at the end who lived or died.