I think this book is basically what Tyra Banks was trying for when she wrote [b:Modelland|9535351|Modelland|Tyra Banks|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1311403288s/9535351.jpg|13168092]? And I applaud the work deconstructing beauty standards and think that'll be important for a lot of teens to read, especially related to skin color/social construction of race.

That said, I didn't love this? It has a lot of kind of steampunk-y trappings that just aren't my jam. (For example, measuring time in "hourglasses" but not specifying how long an hourglass is? You'd think an hour, since it has "hour" right in there...but it seemed inconsistent? This is a minor point but also something that consistently distracted me...) But also I'm never really into steampunk type situations, so again, this is the kind of thing that might be a draw for someone else.

Also the friendship between Camellia, the protagonist, and her best friend Amber, seemed a little strange to me? A lot was made about how they're ~best friends~ and tell each other everything...but also have secrets and also are very competitive?? I mean I guess as I type it out, that's pretty typical ~teen girl but it just felt very hollow as I was reading it.

I'm filing this under Things That Are Not My Personal Cup Of Tea But I'm Glad They Exist For Other Readers.

Spoiler

PS also it does that thing a lot of YA series books do, where it ends with a very abrupt cliffhanger. I know you want to build suspense for your next book but please also give this one an actual ending, thanks byeee