⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🐊🐊🐊🐊🐊

I am at a loss of where to start. The characters were beautiful. They were full of depth and personality and imperfections and motives. They were so well-written and I became attached so very quickly to each of them. Gideon as the protagonist was so likeable, real, and unabashedly queer. The characters being so well-fleshed out are why this book is equal parts ambition and tragedy. 

At times, I thought it was a bit too smart for me, but I would catch up enough to find my place again. The descriptions of the trials, tribulations, science, magic, and settings were so thorough that I found reading and rereading it to be incredibly helpful. 

The twists and turning points throughout the book really kept me on the edge of my seat and grappling to understand exactly what I was reading in the best way. Don't even get me started on that ending.