I love the concept and it is a typical first book of a series in that it is a lot of just information and character introductions. I wish there was a more focus on the relationship building between the characters during their two weeks of trekking through Sharr. I very much appreciated the glossary and wish all fantasy books had them. I enjoyed the snarkiness and sarcastic comments made between Altair, Zafira, and Nasir. It reminds me of Reid, Lou, and Beau in Serpent & Dove. 
 
I don’t mind the YA clichés of this book, I’m not looking for authors to constantly reinvent the wheel and I don’t mind the retelling of the same stories with different settings and characters and magic systems. I read this books because I’m tired of those same stories starring white, cisgendered, straight people. Additionally, this book had some unique qualities I don’t often see in other mainstream fantasy books. I’m hoping the second book is even better and look forward to reading it.