Well written but ultimately not the right story for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters at time but overall intriguing.

I requested this title back before my blogging break. I have ended up with a number of titles that are overwhelming to catch up on now I am back from my blogging break. I am regretfully not going to be reading and reviewing this title, but now I am back from my blogging break, I am looking forward to reading and reviewing some of your future titles. Thank you so much for the opportunity and apologies.

DNF

Liked the start, but after 150 pages, I didn't feel a connection to the characters or the plot. Heist fiction may not be for me as a general rule.

A decent read with a gripping storyline and characters that it’s almost impossible not to root for. It wasn’t my favourite read but would recommend to fans of the genre. And a stunning cover!

The formatting of this book didn’t work so I cannot review it unfortunately. I’ve given a neutral rating in this case.

Unfortunately I did not finish this book and so do not feel like I can write a full and proper review.

I really tried to read this book with an open mind and get through it, but try as I might, I was never able to fully immerse myself in the plot. I was so looking forward to reading this, so I was rather disappointed that it did not live up to my expectations. I'm sure some would really enjoy this book, but for me it just didn't cut it.

This was well written and parts I really enjoyed but overall there was just something missing for me and I didn't connect with it as much as I had hoped I would. But I will keep an eye out for more from this author as the writing style worked.

Honestly, I was drawn in to Beneath the Citadel initially by the cover. I mean, it's super stunning and super creepy so how could you not want to read it?! I really enjoyed the story and will absolutely be checking out more books by Destiny Soria in the future!

Beneath the Citadel was a suspenseful, immersive, and evocatively written fantasy novel. The worldbuilding and the magic were interesting and intricate with plenty of visual/sensory descriptions to aid the imagination. The multiple points of view were well developed and executed, and I liked the intermittent flashback chapters that added background and depth to the story. Each of the main characters was distinct and likable, flaws and all, and having a diverse cast where the story wasn't about their oppression and their existence was normalized was refreshing. The antagonists of the story had their own development as well, creating some moral complexity. There were several twists and surprises in the story that kept me guessing and wondering at how the team would achieve their goal and what the end of their journey would look like. The ending was bittersweet but hopeful and wrapped up important loose ends while still leaving some things to the imagination, which is probably my favorite kind of ending.

Beneath the Citadel could be described as a book all about escapes. There are a lot of escape scenes in this book, which can get quite repetitive. However, the group do find new ways to save their skin, but at the back of my mind there was limited risk of them not escaping because they were so good at it. On top of this, there were a few times where the pace slowed right down because they’d been captured, but there was limited action.

In Beneath the Citadel there are multiple magic systems in play. There are the Rooks and Sentients who are born with magic skills. But there are also blood bound people, who are bound to an element to give them magic skills. These systems had their own strengths which we saw through Evander and Vesper, however there’s not a hard line of which one is better or worse in this world. Which I thought was unique in a fantasy novel as often they are pitted against one another.

I really enjoyed how in-depth the characters were. It felt kind-of breakfast club-like at times with how different the characters were, but without them leaning too much into their stereotypes. The cast is diverse as they show POC, bi, gay and ace rep, anxiety and plus-sized characters. Cassa as our main character is your typical brash rebel. She can be both ego-centric and abrasive at times, and our other characters often call her out. Newt is someone I relate to heavily due to low self-esteem that plagues his actions and decisions. Contrasting against Evander who is notably brave and ready to protect the other characters because he loves them so.

Alys stands out as one of the best written characters. She has anxiety attacks during the action of the book, which is written so well but in a way that would make it understandable to those who haven’t experienced it themselves. Alys is also fat and ace, which is woven naturally into the book without it being her entire personality, but to just genuinely give depth to her character.

A good part of the book and its character was that Cassa’s relationships with each of the other 4 main characters differed per person. The different POVs allowed us to have a connection to each of these characters too, and better understand the differences around Cassa. However, each of the four do seem very centred around Cassa, but this is discussed in the book at some length about how it’s not healthy. I didn’t enjoy that the characters had limited experiences away from Cassa at times.

An issue with the book is that our main characters don’t really understand who the real villain is. They’re rebelling against authority in the city and then fall into the plot where they come across the main antagonist, and even then they’re completely unsure what is truly going on. And truly I kept second guessing myself whilst reading it too. This is both good and bad, as it kept me on my toes, but sometimes they felt ‘rebel without a cause’.

This book is a standalone book, but I’m excited to read more from Soria because of it. Whilst this book had its issues, I think the good parts such as the character depth, magic system and world building pulled it back up.

Positives
Magic System felt unique
Characters are written in-depth
World building was well done

Negatives
Slow pacing at times
Took time to understand antagonist

The magic is legit the best thing ever about this book. I've never read Destiny Soria before this, but I will again simply because the magic element of her world-building ROCKS.

I loved Destiny’s debut, IRON CAST, so I was really excited for her foray into otherworld fantasy. Unfortunately, BENEATH THE CITADEL and I just didn’t connect. It’s one of those cases where all the pieces are there, but somehow when they’re all put together, you’re staring at the final product wondering if you screwed something in wrong.



It follows four friends and one ex-friend as they contend with the powers of the Citadel, their city’s ruling body, who has long kept the public beneath its thumb using the prophecies of its Seers. Need some land? Oh, sorry, it was prophesized that we should have it. The political implications provide interesting texture to what would otherwise have been a basic mystery. But in the end, the story as a whole falls short of its potential.





Hands off my memories, witch!


The magic is honestly the coolest thing about this book. Magical powers are rare and feared, and come in all varieties related to the mind. Seers who see true futures. Diviners who catch snippets. Rooks who steal memories. Sentients who read your truths in your features. And more ordinary people with blood bonds to elements, who can manipulate silver, gold, iron.



As with IRON CAST, Destiny shines in inventing unique kinds of magic. And for the most part she’s successful in navigating the pitfalls that always come with prophecy, by adding some ambiguity: not-so-infallible prophecies, human error, liar prophets.



The characters are also pretty solid. I actually disliked Cassa quite a bit and I found myself dreading her chapters, but that could be a personal thing; she’s got that baseless self-assurance and cockiness, despite causing real damage to her friends, that tends to rub me the wrong way.



But I liked everyone else quite a lot, and overall the cast is diverse in terms of both race and sexual orientation. There’s a cute m/m romance that felt really organic. Alys is ace and has panic attacks, which were rendered with such wonderful sensitivity and feeling. And I like Vesper, because she’s painted as a traitor but actually has really complicated motivations.





I think we just went over that


The plot is where it fell apart for me. It’s somehow both too fast and too slow at once. It begins, BAM, right after the teen rebels have been caught in their first attempt to break in to the Citadel. We get an introduction to each of them as they are on trial before the Councilors. Normally I don’t mind being thrown in in the middle, but this time it just felt like I was missing half the story. People are losing their memories? There’s a huge mystery? Cool! … but it’s already happened before you got here. Then it immediately slows down so each POV can comment on the same information. Speed up again, they’re escaping their cells and finding their way (dun dun dun) beneath the Citadel, where a revelation kicks off the main plot.



A couple things didn’t work for me. First, we have five POVs and occasional flashbacks to how each of them met each other. There’s a lot of backtracking, and also a lot of repetition, because the POVs tend to go over the same segment of time more than once with little movement ocurring. There’s also a lot of “let’s have long conversations about things we all know,” which is one of my particular hot spots. And some pieces that didn’t make sense. So many flashbacks to Cassa and Evander’s former romance, which never became important.



Finally, we’re acquainted with the Big Bad very early, so there’s very little mystery and much more running around trying to figure out who to trust, what to do, how to do it. The emotional punches landed softly, because for the most part they were expected. The ending was actually a clever, unexpected twist, but by then I was just waiting for it to be over.



Just not meant to be


Sadly, we just weren’t meant for each other. I almost DNFed a number of times, but instead forced myself through. When I notice I’ve been skimming for pages, I know a book just isn’t working for me. Which is too bad, because some of Destiny’s writing is truly beautiful, full of quotable gems, stunning descriptions, and humor. It just struck me as a book that could have used another round on the chopping block, some tightening here and cutting there. But other people really loved it, including my co-blogger Whitley, so if the synopsis appeals to you, definitely give it a try!

I don't often abandon a book, but "Beneath the Citadel" was dropped somewhere around the midpoint - after a good, solid college try. I disliked it for the same reasons that others may enjoy it; the characters are always snappy and witty in a sort of Arrested Development kind of way, and the romance and emotions are so ON at all times that the reader is constantly getting slapped in the face with smouldering gazes, side glances, and rosy cheeks.

I personally didn't love it, but it smacks of exactly the kind of writing that a younger teen would enjoy - the entire book is a chip on a shoulder, and may appeal to some.

Beneath the Citadel starts with a great premise and I always love a heist type of story, and the audiobook narrator did a pretty good job in getting the reader into the story. The characters were interesting, unique voices and motivations which obviously made it easy to remember who's who when listening.

The downside is that once I paused the audiobook for a couple of days, I struggled to pick it up again, I literally had no motivation to want to know what will happen next, I wasn't really hooked in even if the characters and the writing were good. There was something about the plot that did not keep me keen. I am also not going to lie here... I kept on thinking of Six of crows and how it was just not like it; however, when saying that, I am not saying that they were the same, but the vibes were kinda there my brain couldn't switch that off. The fantasy elements were interesting and I liked to read about a book centred around the power of memory and the hunger for power.

Overall it was a good book, a solid 3 stars.

I have attempted to read this book for over 3 months and while I absolutely adored Soria's previous book, IRON CAST, I can't get past the 40% mark of this book.

Despite an interesting cast, I never felt any real tension or danger. The purpose of the back and forth in and out of the Citadel was unclear and I didn't understand the motives of the characters. The fact that none of this was clear by nearly halfway through the book led me to put it down several times before finally giving up on the book entirely.

While I definitely intend to read further work by this author, and I may attempt to read this one again, I cannot continue to waste time on a book that I can't get through.

As I did not finish this book, I will not be posting a review online and will refrain from posting to Goodreads until the time if/when I decide to try it again.

I loved Destiny Soria’s Iron Cast and was greatly looking forward to this book, but after finishing it… Iron Cast was better by far.

I’ve had a hard time determining if Beneath the Citadel just isn’t for me, or if it isn’t for me right now. Would I have enjoyed it more if I was in a better mood for it, or would my thoughts still be the same? Unfortunately, I have absolutely no urge to reread it to find out, but who knows? Maybe I will someday.

The novel takes place in the fictional city of Eldra, where infallible prophecies determine events and the fate of the people. The High Council rules with an iron fist, taking advantage of the gifts of rooks, diviners, seers, and sentients to prevent threats to their power. As a result, the last rebellion was crushed underfoot, leaving only their children as bitter survivors. Cassa, the daughter of rebels, seeks to expose the council’s corruption and overthrow them, and the key to doing so lies beneath the Citadel—but she and her friends have to break in and get there alive first.

Before I get more into the plot, let’s talk about my reactions to the characters.


Cassa is normally a character I like, one on a revenge quest, but she doesn’t do much for me. She’s full of anger, hatred, and conviction but waffles once it’s game time. I’m just generally bored by her and unimpressed. We spend more time with her waxing on and on about how she’s trying to live up to her legendary rebel parents than about her. I get that she feels inadequate, but she never rises from this until the end, and it was just exhausting to read about continuously.

Alys is a decent character, but I don’t feel any great care or connection to her, either. I like that she is an overweight, ace character who experiences anxiety attacks. The attacks especially are depicted excellently in how they can creep up on you and take over your entire being and state of mind.

However, not much about her weight seems to affect her overmuch, and her sexuality isn’t mentioned beyond a brief nod, so I don’t feel like good representation comes through as much as it should. I like that she is a steadfast, no-nonsense person with a tough outer shell that hides her doubts and insecurities, but as a result, she tends to stay in the background outside of her POV chapters. I wish she stood out more throughout; she feels more like an afterthought.

Newt, meanwhile, is probably the character with the most interesting past and skillset. The son of a rebel who ultimately betrayed the rebellion in exchange for comfort, Newt’s trying to make a difference. His father is the source of his hatred and suffering. He literally attacked Newt as a child to teach him to be faster, to escape from anything. Newt is extremely double-jointed, so he can bend his body in ways the average person can’t, including popping his joints out of place, squeezing in impossible spaces, and so on.

His father harshly conditioned him to be able to do this, so in exchange, Newt has a lot of built-up trauma from his childhood that he does a swell job of hiding from the others. He bandages his joints both to brace them but also because he’s terrified that one day, he’ll end up breaking himself. Otherwise, he’s a generally kind, calming person. He’s also gay and crushing hard on Evander. I’d honestly read a book just about Newt.

Evander is also okay as far as characters are concerned. I liked him better than his sister Alys because he stood out on the page more. He has a joke or wise crack for every occasion, usually to break up tension or to hide his own insecurities. He underwent tremendous pain to be bloodbonded to silver, and since he survived, he’s able to control silver at will.

It’s hard for me not to compare him to Jesper from Six of Crows, because he, too, is black, bisexual, and the flippant, long-range attacker on the team. But when all’s said and done, they are slightly different characters, and it’s perfectly within the realm of reality to have two black male characters with a sense of humor who are bisexual. I think he and Jesper would be fast friends. I do enjoy his slowburn romance with Newt, which is described enough and with the best pacing a standalone book can offer. It’s very believable as a result.

Vesper is sort of part of this group. They are friends until she betrays Cassa and the others to the Citadel, ultimately for their own good. Vesper is one I’m going back and forth on. I understand her motivations and agree with them as the book goes on, but she’s not a particularly interesting character. Like Cassa, she’s kinda just there and since she’s separate from the main cast most of the time, I don’t believe their connection to her that much, convenient flashbacks aside. The most interesting thing about her is how she’s able to use her rook ability to combat a sentient’s ability and also protect other people’s memories from being stolen. There’s not much to her personality, though.

Solan is my favorite character behind Newt who is tragically underutilized. He needed so much more page time. Solan saved me from DNF’ing this book at around 50%, if I’m being honest. Newt and Evander alone weren’t enough to carry it. I can’t give too much detail about Solan without spoiling anything, but let’s just say, he is incredibly interesting and terrifying, and the ending was super anticlimactic. He deserved better.

The hardest thing to get into, though, is the story itself. For a heist-like book, it sure does like to meander. Because of the multiple POVs, we’re in character’s heads a lot, which normally, I don’t mind. Here, though, there’s far too much repetition of information, most of which served as exposition or did nothing to compel the plot forward.

The worst culprit of this was Cassa’s POV, but nearly every character also waxes on with her about her legendary parents, about the Citadel’s grip on society, about infallible prophecies and fate versus free will. This is great information to have, but why are we still repeating it even halfway through the story? This repetition made it much more difficult to slip into this world and enjoy most of these characters and what they were doing at any given time.

Another big problem keeping the plot from really taking off is how passive to the plot all the characters are. Maybe that was deliberate because it keeps the reader wondering: Do these characters have free will, or is everything they do predetermined and commanded by prophecy? These are important questions to ponder, to be sure, but it makes for an unexciting book. There’s only so many times I can watch Cassa get caught by Citadel guards in the middle of her plans before my eyes just glaze over and I wonder, “What’s the point?”

Ironic, because that’s a question that the characters ask themselves throughout the novel. What’s the point in all our struggling if our enemies know what we’re going to do before we even do it? What’s the point in trying to make a difference? Again, excellent questions. I just wish the novel let the characters address them a bit more actively. It’s almost like, in this case, instead of the main characters being overpowered, the Citadel is, to the point where the characters can barely do anything that’s impressive or meaningful. Time to nerf these bastards.

The ending did inspire some bittersweet feelings, but, overall I’m finding I’m dissatisfied with it and by the plot, where we went with it, and how things were resolved. I kind of feel like so much of what the main crew did was pointless given what actually happened, and I’m certain I’m not supposed to feel that way. The actual writing style was fine. I just didn’t care much for the story or most of the characters.

Four novels that put a spotlight on Asexual representation in fantasy and speculative fiction

Thanks to Mackenzi Lee, Victoria Schwab, Claire Legrand, and Destiny Soria we can name more than a couple canon Asexual characters and I can’t believe it’s taken this long.

Within the last month or so there have been four books that have been released with an Asexual main character. Not only that, but they are also diverse on top of depicting the A in LGBTA+ that is so rarely written well (so far) in fiction.

For those who don’t know, Asexuality is when someone feels no sexual attraction towards someone else. Just like other sexualities, it exists on a spectrum and it can vary from person to person what it means to them. There are different kinds of attraction, (sexual, romantic, physical, emotional, and aesthetic) and asexuality simply means that they don’t feel one of the types of attraction, sexual attraction.

Before now, there haven’t been many Asexual characters in media in general. Barely a handful, they usually have the characteristics of a robot, sociopath, or just emotionally stunted, most often with a neutral alignment.

Growing up, I always assumed Sherlock Holmes to be Asexual, with his detached air and seeming complete disinterest in the opposite sex sexually because all he cared about was the case. He may have been, and will continue to be in my mind, but all in all it isn’t representation if one has to draw the line themselves.

Varys, otherwise known as the Spider, in Game of Thrones is Asexual, but as described because he is a eunech. There are issues with this, mostly because to me this simply means that to some the only way someone couldn’t feel sexual attraction is if they don’t have the means to be aroused. Not only that, but Varys is unfeeling, conniving, but he is a skilled manipulator and that doesn’t sound like good representation, either.

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire, the first book in her YA Wayward Children series, features Nancy as the main character, an Asexual girl whose door lead her to a world of quiet and stillness. Now, as much as I adored this book and the others of this series, as well as having Asexual representation, the fact that Nancy only wanted to be a statue, still with no emotion, left me feeling bereft, as if the only representation for Asexuality would be the characteristics of someone who is unfeeling and detached.

In The Raven Cycle’s final book, The Raven King, by Maggie Stiefvater, had her character Henry Cheng joke that he was “Henry-sexual” in an attempt at Asexual representation that merely left me with a sour taste in my mouth that not only was it thrown in as a joke that he only loved himself, but that it was seen as representation at all.

Fast forward to September and October 2018 when the amount of Asexuality representation in books grew tenfold with the publication of four novels with main characters with Asexual orientation either stated plainly within the text, or the actions of said characters depicting the aspects of Asexuality throughout.

Each book handled depicting Asexuality differently, some I liked better than others, but overall I don’t think I could be happier with the level of representation in the last month alone and can only hope that this is only the beginning of seeing Asexual fictional characters in the spotlight.

Vengeful by Victoria Schwab is the much anticipated sequel to Vicious, a series with the main characters all being villains in their own way. Prior to the release of Vengeful, Victoria tweeted that Victor Vale was Asexual and that it would be canon in Vengeful. Victor is not Victoria’s first LGBTA+ character, with both Rhys Maresh and Alucard Emery in her Shades of Magic series lying somewhere across the LGBTA+ spectrum as well.

The way that Victoria depicted Victor as Asexual was simple: at the beginning of one chapter she took a mere few paragraphs to explain that he didn’t feel sexual attraction. She didn’t use the term explicitly, but the emotion shown in those few paragraphs that felt so natural within the scope of the series was perfect.

Sexuality doesn’t need to be the plotline. In fact, I liked that it wasn’t. Vicious and Vengeful aren’t Coming of Age novels, but speculative fiction with complicated timelines, plots, and character dynamics. The series isn’t about Victor’s sexuality, but it just so happens that he is Asexual.

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria has a diverse cast with POC, multiple LGBTA+ characters, and even a plus sized girl (which is also rare to behold in fantasy). Each character has point of view chapters and get their own subplot within this fascinating whirlwind of a standalone fantasy novel. No nonsense Alys, a plus sized girl who has the ability to read runes, is Asexual. She cares about her found family and her brother, Evander, and like Victor Vale, her plotline doesn’t revolve around her sexuality and it works well within the storyline.

She shares point of view chapters with four other characters, so insight into her feelings doesn’t go too in depth, but the representation is inclusive and doesn’t perpetuate the devoid of emotion stereotype by making Alys’ reactions volatile and her heart kept on her sleeve throughout their tumultuous journey as she and her friends try to save the world as they know it.

A Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee is the sequel to A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, whose main characters were Gay and Bisexual. Lady’s Guide follows Felicity Montague as she attempts to go after her dream of becoming a doctor in the Victorian Era. Felicity is goal oriented and has no interest in love or marriage, with her turning down a marriage proposal within the first chapter of the book.

Felicity is known to be cold, emotionally distant, and rarely shows feelings. Now, this perpetuates the stereotypical characteristics of Asexuals having no feelings and are essentially robots, but I believe this isn’t only due to her sexuality, but her personality as a whole. She is reserved, rather self righteous, and honestly not very relatable. She grows a lot as a character throughout the book, which helps as she opens up more and shows emotion eventually, but for representation it isn’t my favorite.

Not only is Felicity Asexual, but she’s also Aromantic. Not all Asexuals are also Aromantic, which simply means the lack of romantic attraction. One thing that Mackenzi Lee did that I appreciate in terms of Felicity’s growth is that not only did she stand up for herself in turning down a marriage proposal, but she kissed a girl and decided that all in all, it didn’t matter if it was a boy or girl, that neither was something that she wanted to do, which gives a sense of relief that not everyone wants the same thing and sexuality is fluid.

Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand has the best Asexual representation that I’ve read to date. Zoey, a POC social pariah in a small town full of rich white people where girls keep going missing, is Asexual. One of three main characters in a story seeping in urban legend and eerie happenings, isn’t the only LGBTA+ character.

Unlike the other stories I’ve talked about, Zoey’s plotline has to do with her sexuality. It isn’t her only plotline, more like a subplot, but it goes more in depth than any other that I’ve read. Zoey and Grayson used to date, but after they had sex for the first time Zoey realized that she never, ever, wanted to have sex again so she broke up with him.

Relatable to the extreme, Zoey’s emotional connection to Grayson was romantic. She wanted to be with him, loved him, but the sexual attraction wasn’t there so she thought that letting him go would be better because why would someone want to be with her if she didn’t want to have sex?

This thinking is Too Real, what with sex being society’s end all be all of a relationship. Being taught from an early age that consummation is the main goal means that those who don’t want that are shunned.

The only thing is that Grayson, though heart broken, remains her friend and would do anything for her. The epitome of a Good Guy, Grayson and Zoey’s friendship/relationship is probably my favorite ‘couple’ of the year for me.

In a book full of eerie disappearances and smashing the patriarchy, Claire Legrand makes Asexual representation look easy. Writing Asexuals like anyone else, with hopes, dreams, and fears is something that I hope spreads far and wide in media sooner rather than later.

Spoiled by the amount of Asexual representation in the last month, I’m now on the lookout for more positive LGBTA+ in not only YA fantasy, but in all book genres.

Out today: BENEATH THE CITADEL by @thedestinysoria! This book is INCREDIBLE. The world-building is masterful — it grabs you from page one. Follow this motley crew as they use their strengths to overcome the strange corruption happening in the Citadel. There’s magic! Psychic powers! Prison breaks! Snarky attitudes! Ever-shifting suspected sources of evil! Treason! Transformations! Diversity! And so much more! Pick it up today — I guarantee you won’t regret it! .

"No one wanted to believe their mistakes were preventable. If your future was foretold, then you weren’t accountable for it."
Enjoyable standalone fantasy is something to be thankful for!

So Beneath the Citadel is an enjoyable book about a fantasy heist. Four criminals, and their maybe-ally on the inside, attempt to pull off a rebellion against the oppressive high priests ruling their city. But can they trust the allies they’ve picked?

On the whole, I thought this worked pretty well. It’s a fast paced and entertaining romp. And it works without losing structure – the book keeps clear character motivation and thus a clearly established goal.

The characters, on the whole, work. Cassa, the group’s leader, is driven to a fault, often stubborn and unable to admit her mistakes. Alys is the plus-sized and ace bisexual fortune teller of the group, quieter and occasionally insecure. Vesper was by far my favorite character: she is a girl in disguise, attempting to hide her memories and save her friends. And then there are the two final leads: Evander, Cassa’s ambitious and funny ex, and Newt, the group’s spy.

…okay, so I really really hesitate to call something derivative – that’s weird territory as a reviewer. And I actually don’t think this book, in and of itself, is a super derivative work; it distinguishes itself in both plot and character. but …. when you’re comparing your book to Six of Crows. You really cannot have a couple in the story in which one is a white gay guy who has a dead mother and a bad relationship with his father and a whole self-realization arc, and the other is a black bisexual guy who jokes to suppress his feelings, deals with nervous energy, has some past romantic tension with the lead character, and who’s special talent is that he can – I swear to god – manipulate metal. I genuinely struggled seeing these characters as something more than Jesper/Wylan fanfiction? Which might be a me thing, but there it is.

Oh god, I think I have a few extra things to say:
❤️The world building could’ve been cleared up with a map.
❤️I liked that there wasn’t much romance! One is plenty.
❤️The writing itself was quite solid.

Something else that I enjoyed about this book was the focus on quality of memory, and on the power of memory as a weapon to control society. There’s something deeply terrifying about forgetting, about not being able to fight back because you cannot remember what someone has done to you.

On the whole, this was a decent read but not a fantastic one. A solid three but not more.