Headlines:
A city of ego
Violated tribes
Magical dark academia

I am so desperate to do this book justice in my review as I am full of feelings on finishing. This has been a book I have both devoured and savoured over a week. It has made me feel anger at the horrendous injustices, hopeful that things could change, sadness and excitment at the plot in general.

Sciona, a female mage trying to trailblaze ranks that no female mage had ever reached, was such a worthy protagonist. She was single-minded and blinkered in her quest for admittance to the magistery and then the same about the tasks she was given. Alongside Sciona was Thomil, a Kwen servent, janitor and then assistant. I don't even have the words to describe the two races in this book. Suffice it to say that methaphor could not be missed in these two nations housed in one strip of land and my heart hurt.

The plot was fantastic, a dark academia based on magical powers and the pursuit to learn more. It wasn't heavy or dull, a criticism I often see about dark academia. It was engaging and thrilling with a fairly fast pace.

There were themes of patriachy, misogyny, abuse, prejudice and some content that might be difficult for some readers. All of these elements were handled with care and measure, not for sensationalism but to highlight power dynamics and how leaders wield their power to those who are at their mercy. It wasn't preachy either, you could read this on the surface or you can sink your teeth into the deeper themes that are there for readers.

I am so impressed with this story, the plot, the characterisation and the ease of writing. This book will hit my top ten list for sure for 2024.

Thank you to DelreyUK for the review copy.