I honestly don't have much to say about this book that's not effusive praise. I have no reason to be giving this a 4 stars instead of 5 other than it just didn't give me that 5-star feeling. It's nothing to do with the quality of the book—the characters, setting, worldbuilding, prose, and plot are all top notch. If I have one complaint, it is that the ending felt rushed and didn't make a lot of sense. Maybe it's just me, but I didn't understand how

the people of Tiran knew what was happening at the end with the images of the blight. It seems like everyone understood what was happening, which doesn't make much sense to me as the author made it a point to explain that laypeople don't really understand how magic works.

I really enjoyed that this book leaned heavily into the academia part of dark academia and didn't just use it as an aesthetic. The magic system was so interesting and unique; I've never seen anything like it. Be warned: the ending was incredibly sad, but also hopeful. I also loved the romance

but you should be ready to cry your eyes out

. The plot twist was done well too—just enough telegraphing to let most of us figure it out, but still heartwrenching all the same. 

If you like morally grey characters, dark academia and incredibly unique magic systems, this should be your next read. I'm mostly surprised you haven't read it already, given the hype.