I did come into this book with a bias because I love Sword of Kaigen - but wow! This was a fascinating world and magic system setup with compelling characters that somehow flawlessly transitioned from an individual quest to get women accepted in academia to a large-scale moral battle. Some themes and messages were heavy-handed, but that was the point. I did want more characterizations of other other mages (they all felt too similar, even though I understand that's how she sees them), more depth in Sciona's familial relationships with her aunt and cousin, and more nuance to Carra - no one is THAT one-note in my opinion. Very compulsive reading!