Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
This was another fun fanfic-y romance (kinda) for this year. I have read my fair share of fanfic over the years and I loved wondering which pieces of this were from the original and what had been changed and developed!
I loved the magic system in this: fascinating blend of magic and science, but somehow also still having a heavy reliance on British folklore (my fave omg). We even had a load of old english etymology which was a wonderful detail to accompany the historical differences (no Norman conquest in 1066 would have prevented the loss of anglo-saxon). Speaking of language there was also some very sophisticated vocabulary in here - loved it!
It's also so refreshing to find characters in an enemies-to-lovers who actually hate each other (you wouldn't think it would be so hard). Osric and Aurienne have literal opposite moral compasses and I liked that this wasn't just thrown away to further a romance plotline - they inherently disagree with other ALL THE TIME. And the insults they levelled at each other were honestly impressive.
The only minor qualm I have with this story is the pacing felt a bit strange - I thoroughly enjoyed each chapter and the drama that unfolded, but when we reached the end of the book I felt a little like I'd been cheated out of a dramatic culmination of plot - you know the kind of thing: a battle or a suddenly revealed secret etc. 
Was so excited to have an ARC for this and will be eagerly anticipating book 2.