unfortunately, this story couldn't keep my interest. it was too dry for me. the sultan felt like a cartoon villain. I understand the grief from his wife and all, but he felt hammy from what I read. I will say I was pleasantly surprised to see a spark of humanness in him before he went into the usual diatribe 'the love you have for others is what makes you weak hahahahah'

zafira was kind of just there but I understood her motivation for magic. if something was just beyond your fingertips, wouldn't you look for it too?