Wow. I’m impressed with this book. I had high expectations and it met them! I love the characters of Alina and Mail. The Darkling is a great villain. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the world and magic system. This was a wonderful first book and I’m excited to keep reading about this world and getting to know these characters more! 

I loved hearing this story in audio book form! The different narrators brought the characters to life. I felt their emotions! This was such a great, realistic story. I am surprised that there wasn’t more negative results from the drug use (maybe that part wasn’t too realistic) but the heart ache was real. I’d say this was a love story. Love of music, people, friends, rock... I truly enjoyed this book. 

Such a sweet love story. If you’re looking for a book with a lot of emotions, and a happy ending, and many satisfying resolutions, this is it! I love how the author wove so many different lives and stories into each other. 

I received an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley. I enjoyed this book. There was a lot of twists and turns, a somewhat confusing resolution but it all kinda worked out. Parts of the book felt rushed. It seemed that a lot of imports info would be given at once, or a few sentences would sum up a series of events in order to get to the next event. Regardless, I enjoyed the book. I was extremely frustrated with many of the adults in the story. I also felt that the MC, Lucy, had some serious “issues” to deal with. At the end, these issues were being addressed, but throughout the story, they sometimes seemed either ignored  or glossed over. In a way, this seemed like a very Young Book-maybe for middle grade, but I’m unsure of the age range this was written for. 

There’s a lot to this book and I know this review will not do it all justice. I listened to the book and enjoyed hearing how all the difference names, pronouns, and places were pronounced. Speaking of pronouns, I loved the all inclusiveness of them in this book. Sexual preferences, orientations and identities were varied and explained as needed. It was refreshing! The story was intriguing with just enough information and backstory to keep me guessing as things unfolded. The characters were so wonderful! Each had their own personality and I loved getting to know them. The book ended too soon... I was fully immersed and all of a sudden I heard the narrator give the ending credits! I will probably do a reread/listen before the second book is available because SO much happened. 

This story is unlike the "typical" dark fantasy. I did NOT expect the antagonist to be who it was! Usually I can guess but not this time! The MC, Nedra, is such a fierce, loyal, and heart breaking character. I love her so much! This was quite a dark story, with many deaths. Be warned that the people you love may not make it to the end! I really enjoyed this story, the magic, the characters... I am excited to read the second book!