3/5 stars

I don't have too much to say. I did really enjoy this book, but I just don't feel as drawn to the characters as I would like to be? I don't see myself reading the sequel anytime soon, despite this book ending with a lot of unanswered questions. I feel like the book was sort of all over the place? Most of it was through Wil's perspective, but we'd occasionally got Gerdie's POV in the beginning, and then it sort of disappeared once the King got ill. We never found out if he died or not and what was up with Baren. Also, not a lot happened? We spent most of this book travelling and then Wil is injured and then Loom gets sick, and then they get caught, but they escape, and then spend more time travelling to find Pahn. There wasn't really a huge conflict resolution or even a rising action, besides the escape from the Southern palace? And I feel like Wil's motivations kind of shifted drastically from wanting to protect her kingdom, to now saving Loom. She's definitely still struggling with what she wants to do, but I wasn't a huge fan of the relationship. I can see the draw Loom's character would have, but I just wasn't feeling it. And we end with the whole "you're only attracted to each other cause you're both cursed" and then Wil is like "oh, I guess my feelings towards Loom aren't real and Loom probably doesn't truly feel this way about me" etc. etc. I just find this whole plot device overdone.

What I did enjoy was the writing. It was beautiful and descriptive, and one quote really took me off guard. I wasn't expecting to relate to it so much:

"Perhaps it's different for girls. We're told who we're meant to be, and we strive to be just that, even if we know it isn't right. Love is used as a weapon against us. When we don't do as we're told, it gets taken away, and when we do, it's returned again like a treasured doll."

I mean...this quote is just wow. It's so spot on I had to actually stop for a second and read it again and then feel sad cause of how true it is.

Also, world is so unique. I was a bit surprised how it blends modern technology like electricity with a sort of medieval/fantastical setting. It's nice to read a book where there's modern day tech but the setting isn't a post-apocalyptic world. I also loved the glimpse of alchemy and medicine we get. It was just interesting to read about.

My absolute favourite part was Wil's relationships with her brothers, Owen and Gerdie. It was so sweet and wholesome and pure and I just want more of this in books. I much preferred her relationship with them compared to Loom, and honestly I'm sad Gerdie isn't on this trip with her.