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5
One of the best reading experiences Iโve ever had
Format: Audiobook
This was truly AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! In every possible way.
- the setting. I loved the steampunk/gaslamp setting with trains, overcast weather, and mafia vibes
- the magic. I still donโt entirely understand the magic system and descendants as much and it took awhile for me to get my footing in that department- and I am intrigued beyond measure, though it in no way lessened my enjoyment of the story. I just really wish I had a better grasp of it.
- the plot itself. Beautiful. The tropes were troping in the absolute best way. Every single thing that happened I was like YES MORE!!!
- the writing. I found myself grinning ear to ear uncontrollably during my entire read through and full on choking on my gasps, again, like the entire read through. And I read this too at times when I was in an awful mood so the way this book was an INSTANT pick me up really speaks to how well this was written. I was having the absolute best time, non stop.
- the characters. The best part oh my gosh. Camilla is SUCH a badass. Her and Nico are supposed to be low 20s and I gotta tell you they read more like 30s from how capable and mature they are (not that that age bracket is incapable or immature, just comparing them to other characters written in that age range). She is the type of cool as heck character that everyone would be cos-playing as and if it was a kid movie, every single girl would dress as her for Halloween. Sheโs that awesome.
Nico is top freaking tier. I gotta say his hairstyle is my undoing and with the addition of the metal arm- before I even started reading the book I was in love with him. And he was EVEN BETTER than my lofty expectations. This man. Perfect in every single way. Every. Single. Way. If I start now I wonโt stop so Iโm just gonna leave it at that. Camilla and Nico are power couple of the century though and the way they interacted was the most toe-curling/squealing/kicking your feet banter Iโve read in a while. PLUS the way they fell for each other was a gem. I was falling in love with their relationship right along with them.
- a shout out to the side characters too. Aramis, Gideon, Aunt Fran, Esme, Luther, Adler [honestly just insert all the supporting cast they were freaking phenomenal] brought so much life and personality to the story and helped round out Nico and Camilla. I really really really would absolutely adore if Adler got some more spotlight time in the future because he and Aramis are up there with โletโs give these side characters their own spinoffsโ.
Also, the villains were great too. I love a great villain in a story and sometimes I donโt think they get highlighted as much in books as in movies or TV that I hear of.
If it wasnโt obvious already- this was even greater than a 5 star read. This was perfection- in quality and in vibes- and it was one of the most enjoyable reading experiences I have ever had and Iโm not throwing that around lightly. I have scenes from this book playing in my mind unbidden on repeat and I know this world has so much more to be explored. I will read anything Alexis L Menard puts out in the future
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Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2025
