Wheeler crafted a compelling world and magic system, but the focus was often skewed: it's a literal war zone they have to escape while people are dying, yet they have a slow courtship arranged through letters. We still don't have much sense of antagonism, just a vague looming threat that is too random to be sinister. The multiple POV worked fairly well, though I cared less about one perspective. Also, I wished McKenna's family members had their own distinct personalities; they felt more like caricatures and plot devices to me, especially the sisters.