note: i was lucky enough to be a beta reader for this book, so my review is based off of that draft and not the published version. but honestly? if nothing changed from what i read, it would be an absolutely incredible book.

rating: 4.5/5 stars (but goodreads still doesn't allow half stars)

first off: one of the best books i've read in a long time. holloway is never afraid to put kehlem and the rest of the characters through the absolute wringer, and those are the authors i really admire -- the ones who have the nerve to make their characters face the consequences of their actions. also, the queer rep? chef's kiss, because it's not actually about how they're queer! it's just about some people in love! how revolutionary is that. the plot is absolutely banana bonkers in the best possible way, and the pacing remind me of a sanderson book: a slow simmer until everything just explodes in the last 25%. also, saying a fantasy reminds me of a sanderson book is probably the best praise i can offer. what stopped it from being a full 5 stars: the big reveal felt a little deus ex machina, and i sometimes wanted the world-building to be a bit more specific, but those critiques in no way prevented this book from taking me on a whole adventure. highly recommended, and i'm personally badgering mark into writing the sequel.