This review was of an early access copy through netgalley. 

This was an incredible book. There were so many things I loved about it. The story follows the first woman highmage and her assistant, a man belonging to the Kwen, a race that is oppressed within the city of Tiran. Both these characters, Sciona and Thomil, are very compelling. Getting into Sciona’s shoes and feeling what she was feeling happened seamlessly for me while reading because the book really draws you into her head. The magic system is very scientific and refreshing to read about. I also loved the real-world applicable commentary in the book. It tackles the idea of layers of oppression, colonization, and revolution very well. For people who liked books like Babel by R.F Kuang, this has a similar feel in its  commentary on colonial power. The prose was often unexpectedly beautiful, there would be scenes or thoughts characters were having and then one line would suddenly slam into me with its emotional impact. It was also a page turner and I finished it very quickly. 

“We have taken so that we may live. 
We have taken so that one day we may give back. 
And now the taking is done.”
~the Caldonnae hunter’s prayer~

One of my new favorite books. The book begins brutally. And the book ends brutally. It follows two characters as they make their way in a city, Tiran, that doesn’t appreciate them: Sciona, a woman, and Thomil the Kwen/“Blighter” janitor. Sciona mistakenly assumes that she would be respected once she passes her exam to become the first ever female highmage. But of course, she lives in a world and profession dominated by men some of whom will go out of their way to make her miserable. Thomil was the janitor of the building that she works in until one of the male highmages makes him Sciona’s (untrained) assistant as a humiliation to them both. As Sciona and Thomil work together and get to know each other, they come to learn the truth of the magic that Tiran is powered by. 

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this book. I’d heard that it was like Kuang’s Babel, and it certainly was. But they are also two very different stories. I feel like I enjoyed this one more! It explores themes of racism, sexism, xenophobia, cultural assimilation, theft of culture and language, and mass slaughter and genocide. I cried a lot throughout this book. Often I’d cry near the end of it, but I was crying in like every other chapter. Anyway, this was an AMAZING book. Be prepared for racist and sexist language though. And for one SA scene. Oh, and gory death scenes too, sprinkled like blood throughout the book. In fact, just look at all the trigger warnings. I’ll add as many as I can think of. 

The only downside to this book is the criminally low amount of fan arts to obsess over

A very good read, and a really delightful magic system and world—both of which serve the overarching message of the book. Really incisive and well put together, but my only complaint is the dialogue could really stretch on. I tend to prefer a bit more show than tell.

M.L. Wang has an incredible talent for catching me completely off guard. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen next something fully unexpected happens and it’s all the better for it. To me no one writes characters the way she does. They are so tangible with such honest and real motives. She can write about anything she wants and I will eat it the fuck up.