I liked this book but didn't end up loving it as I thought I would have.

I think overall, I needed to spend just a little more time with the characters to really fall in love. Fenris, for example, was a little bit flat to me: he gets a (tragic of course) backstory, but not a lot of personality. And since he

is the love interest, the romance fell a bit flat for me too

[mild spoiler I'd say]. 

At first I did not see at all why this book is so often recommended to people looking for cosy fantasy. After reading it, I feel I understand a bit better: it's still a bit high stakes and dark to be cosy fantasy I think, but it has that heart-warming quality that makes people recommend it in the same breath as A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Legends and Latte's, Murderbot Diaries and The Goblin Emperor.

All-in-all, I had a fun time reading this and would recommend if you're looking for a standalone that's a quick read with heart-warming, found-family vibes...