This book was so slow and the only thing that kept me listening was the fact that I am working while I do. I like the idea of the world it set up but it took until the last 15% of the book to get there. The entire book focused on each of the characters lives in poverty and what they did for work. I also wish that the narrator was younger given there are two young boys being voiced (10 and 13) and their father is only 31 so his voice could be younger too. I also disliked how the author portrayed the women in this book.

First with the weird comments on the mage from the father; which felt out of character… why did he mention dreaming of her taking off her robe huh?! Second with Leo and his friend, with whom he suddenly started taking an interest to (they’re 10 this is unnecessary). Third with the rebel army and how the leader who recruited the father just has no idea how to actually fight or survive without his help.

Despite this I think the story will get better so I am going to continue on.