A book that sounded exactly like something i’d love, what with it being about ninja-nuns and magic. Unfortunately, I found myself unsatisfied.

The world-building was wonderful, but I found both the character development and storytelling didn’t hit the mark for me.

I’m definitely learning that I don’t enjoy non-linear stories, especially when it feels like lazy storytelling. Using going back or forwards in time to drop a nugget of back story or hint at conflict because the present has nothing exciting happening sometimes works, but it would often happen at weird times. The pacing felt really off.

In terms of characters, so many names are thrown out there (most of the nuns also using another name in the classroom), but few of them have any distinguishing characteristics to tell them apart other than setting. Sometimes they even behave differently when using their second name.

Most of the kids were pretty forgettable, others felt like bodies in seats, and lots of time wasted with conflict that doesn’t feel like it really goes anywhere.

Whilst there were definitely parts I enjoyed, it ended up not really being for me.