It got a lot better about halfway in. There is some definite slut shaming, which was weird because I assumed that would maybe become a source of empowerment for Alina but it didn’t. Mal was annoying, the magic system is interesting but not explained. I don’t know anything about Russian culture but I think I could have taken or left then inclusion of the Russian things in the fiction, usually it’s set dressing stuff.

I thought the banter was usually good and in general liked the warnings about powerful men like the darkling (aside from the weird ass slut shaming). Enjoyed seeing Alina find herself some more and do some badass stuff, the ending was pretty good. Overall, I liked it.