This was such a lovely book. Genuinely such an interesting, adventure-filled story that is grounded very much so in reality while remaining so fantastical. I am definitely looking out for more of the author's work in the future because I've enjoyed both this book and Elatsoe so much. 

So much of YA books right now are just so on the nose, full of characters that are just predictable and mundane with social commentary so heavy-handed that it hinders someone's enjoyment of the book. While I understand the function that YA books are for teens and therefore, unlike me, would probably not be aware that such issues exist in real-time or find solace that these issues are written so clearly for them. And, as a 24-year-old who does not want to be treated like I'm a total noob and have to have issues be spelled out for them, this book (and Elatsoe) does a good job at that. While the commentary is somewhat blatant, which to some degree is always going to happen in children's fiction, it's weaved so greatly into the storytelling of the world.

I have a strong love for middle-grade fiction and children's fiction in general which is why sometimes my disdain towards YA appears quite odd. But the quality of writing for this book reminds me of all the wholesome stories of the children's fiction genre that I love.