This book is phenomenal, and I generally believe that anyone who identifies as a fantasy reader needs to read this book. First, it’s incredibly compelling. I read it in a couple (busy) days and brought it with me everywhere I went so I could sneak in a few more pages. Once you’re drawn into this world, it’s hard to leave. Second, it's thematically brilliant. A blend of fantasy and dark academia and mythology retelling that manages to be greater than the sum of its parts. Deonn has retaken Arthurian legend, adding her own point of view to the canon and using it as an allegory for colonialism, giving it real-world authenticity in the process. Bree's family history intersects with legend in such poignant ways, adding depth and new meaning to both Arthurian myth and the reality of intergenerational trauma. And third, it is so emotionally insightful. Deonn shares in the author's note that the idea for this story was born in the aftermath of her mother's death as a means of processing and giving voice to her grief. Seeing Bree commune with generations of women in her family is remarkable, and it is that much more compelling because Deonn shares with us how closely the early losses in Bree's family mirror her own. I have already preordered a copy of the next book in the series and cannot wait to reenter this world. I would highly recommend this book to all fantasy readers.