Full review to follow, but here are quick thoughts from me:

- Honestly, it took me forever to pick The Reader up because of the extremely mixed responses it's garnered from other readers/reviewers. (Lesson learned: I should have read this sooner!)

- A magic system that's based on the ability to read!

- Much like my experience with The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco, this book demands a lot of patience because there's not a lot of plot and the pacing is quite sluggish.

- Much like my experience with Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa, the story occasionally veers away from the main plot and was interspersed with fun, sideline adventures!

- Archer is definitely my favorite character, although

Spoiler

I am not pleased that towards the end of the book, his mutism is suddenly... 'fixed'. It seemed like a pretty unnecessary thing, imo.

- I like Sefia just fine, but I'm hoping for more of her character development in the succeeding installments.

- There are so many side characters in this story. It can get a bit overwhelming sometimes.

- The story isn't 100% told in a chronological order, which was initially strange. However, I quickly adapted and learned to appreciate the unorthodox sequencing, as well as how some scenes are juxtapositioned.

- Plus, this had layers and layers and layers of stories. Think: stories telling stories telling stories.

- I loved how Sefia and Archer's relationship developed??? I don't know. I'm soft and I ship them hard.

- Pirates!!!

- Beautiful, compelling writing style!!! Lush descriptions!!! I could not stop highlighting passages.

- Extensive world-building!!! Complex, multi-layered story!!! Diverse characters!!!

- Provides an interesting discourse on how people find meaning in their lives simply from being remembered. Plus, provokes thoughts on morality, ethics, and sacrifices!

- Considerably flawed, but ultimately, I did not care at all! The Reader is thought-provoking, exquisitely magical, and wonderfully addictive!