The characters and setting are the heart of this book. I enjoy every single one of them, although I must say Zofiya is probably my favorite. I really like seeing how Severin learned something from each of his fathers, and how they made him who he is. I appreciate Zofiya’s unique view on the world, and Enrique’s narcissistic but unsure personality is really entertaining. Laila is a more generic, but still nice character. Tristan is also interesting and unique.
The writing style is also really descriptive and captivating.
“He taught him to eat and how to hunger for things out of each and how to steal without ever looking like you lack for something... ‘Half of winning, my dear wallet, is simply looking victorious.’” Page 168
“He showed Séverin and Tristan how to take back what belonged to you. How to make a harness that let one slip down roofs and into windows, how to pay off the right guards, how to step with a light foot. He never used the word ‘steal.’ ‘Take what the world owes you by any means necessary’ Pride had said. ‘The world has a shit memory. It will never pay its debts unless you force its hand’” Page 227
The cover is beautiful! And it suits the story so well, dark and elegant with magic. I must admit this wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was good nonetheless.