I found I really liked the concept and magic system. The plot and prose is satisfying enough, but the ideas and themes are what elevate this, especially now with what’s going on in the world. It’s got great narration to boot! Will check out the next in the series.

Exactly why some fiction is thought provoking. The topic is is in the cultural consciousness, it demonstrates a more insidious villainy even while invoking some tropeyness. It makes a difficult topic much more accessible and it’s smart to target YA readers with it. Impressed.