⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🐊🐊🐊 

I need to preface this by saying that I don't normally find myself attracted to period-piece books. That being said, the way that this book weaves historical London with ancient times through storytelling, artifacts, and quite literally vibes was really intriguing. I loved learning about the tragic history of this world and the sacrifices that were made. 

An easy-to-understand magical system that enhances the efforts of the book and the lore of the world rather than being a background thought. The stewards and lions and janissaries were all so rich with character. The characters themselves were so compelling and I love a book with multiple POV's. 

I loved the ending of the book and the unraveling of history and memories that are along the journey. I always feel so deeply when everything in a fictional world starts going to shit and this book really makes the situation feels dire.

My first of only two negative comments would be that now and again the author reuses phrases or descriptions in a way that kind of feels like when a TV show has the same flashback in an episode twice. It doesn't happen often but when it does, it feels like a hiccup in otherwise very good writing. My second comment: Could have been gayer. I say that as someone who loves a tantalizing slow-burn romance with the acknowledgment that this book isn't a romance novel, it's an adventure with background motivation and lives at stake.