Ahoy there mateys! I enjoyed this novel even if I have no idea what the point of it was.  The story takes place in a city called Ilmar otherwise known as The City of Last Chances.  It is a city in turmoil.  Foreign occupiers with the goal of "Perfection" are in control everywhere except the Anchorwood.  This wood has a door that opens up to other dimensions? I am not sure how or why it works.  There are resistance factions in Ilmar but none work together.

Frankly, in trying to explain this, it really seems impossible to.  The characters and city itself are bizarre and unlikeable.  The reader is kinda tossed in over their head and trying to stay afloat.  There doesn't seem to be a single character who isn't flawed or self-absorbed.  The magic is a minor aspect in all the politicking.  Yet I couldn't stop reading and wanted to know what happened next.  Turns out the ending does not really explain anything.  I was flummoxed but rather ended up being overall content with me reading journey.  Yasnic was me favourite character followed by Hellsgram.

I would read more set in this world.  Even if it confuses me, it is not boring.  Arrr!