I had fun with this one, especially for it being a YA standalone fantasy??? Look at me all of a sudden liking standalones this year, who woulda thought??

No but in all seriousness, this book is definitely a "I'm not like other girls" type of vibe and chosen one vibes. Which is a given since this is pitched as a Caraval meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I've never read Caraval, however I love Buffy and I do have to say it plays on the tropes of the tv show for sure. If anything, that's probably why I enjoyed it so much. With a looming dark lord, secrets, a magic system that links vampires and magicians - it was a fun ride. I do wish this could've been aged up a bit, but it was pretty grim and dark at certain bits which was cool too. I also wish there was more romance, but given that it was a one shot - it's pretty decent.

Also, I love how Ava, Willow, and Xander mirror Buffy, Willow, and Xander lmao

Um, so yeah if you enjoy a book that sort of gives off early 2000s vibes with magic, then give it a shot for sure.