2.5 stars
I think I really could have enjoyed this if it was longer. It was trying to do too much without really giving enough time to anything.

If I had to rate this, I would give it something like a 3.5 or 3.75 stars, but I don't think any rating I give fully shows my feelings on this book.

It took me a while to get into, but, by the end, I was really invested in the characters and the plot. I think the writing was what made it hard to connect to. I think the world-building should have been more integrated into the story. I also don't know how I feel about the flashbacks. I liked some of them, but thought others were unnecessary, especially in the abrupt way they are presented. I will try the reading the second book and see if that changes my opinion of this one before actually rating it.

This was a well-done and important book. It didn't have a huge impact on me personally, but I'm glad I read it and I'm definitely glad it exists. I think it's just getting harder for me to give middle grade five stars as I get older.

4.25 stars