A fantastical spin on the King Midas myth, this was a very enjoyable novel. The story was interesting, and if I’d had the time, I’m sure I would’ve flown right through it.

I liked the characters, but unfortunately there wasn’t much to any of them. Wil, Loom, and Zay had intriguing backstories, but beyond that they felt rather plain. The same could be said about Wil’s family, although I did love Gerdie. He’s a sweet, awkward alchemist bean that pushed through so much and deserves better; also, he uses braces to move because he’s unsteady after surviving a severe sickness, so that added depth to his character. I liked the queen, and she seemed like she was wild before the story, but sadly, we didn’t get to see that part of her. It’s worth noting that she had some form of OCD, as it mentions that she counts compulsively. Other favorite characters include Ada, a toddler that does nothing except eat fruit and generally be adorable, and Espel, the feisty Southern princess.

I wasn’t a fan of Wil and Loom’s budding romance. First, I didn’t really care about him due to his one-dimensional personality. Second, he’s married but still flirts with and occasionally kisses Wil?! I’ll pass. Side note: Espel and Masalee should be queer, please, thanks. Nothing is present or hinted at, but as I like to say, make it gay™️. 😉

The world-building also felt a bit lax. It was a mix of traditional fantasy and new technology, which was admittedly interesting but left at surface level. There was a lot of focus on the looming war between the (very original) Northern and Southern Isles, but almost nothing about the Eastern and Western Isles or any other parts of the world there may be. It felt a little bit like the war was exaggerated in order to avoid more world-building? I’m not sure, that’s just my opinion, don’t quote me on that. The gist of it is, I would’ve liked more details about the world these characters lived in, beyond the two warring countries. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I know it seems like I have a lot of complaints, but the truth is, for the most part this is a unique fantasy nearly as amazing as the cover. While the ending wasn’t exactly a cliffhanger, it’s definitely left me intrigued. I can’t wait to read the sequel!