Currently a 3* book for me due to that cruel cliffhanger we were left with while we await the second book! without my automatic -* for a cliffhanger of that magnitude, this book would be 4*. (1* was lost due to the hero complex that seems to possess our lead Keynan for the majority of the book and turns him into a twerp that doesn't deserve the hero status.)
World building was fabulous, dystopian feel was reinforced through the narrative without rubbing it in your face, a magic school that felt valid and uncomfortably real, as well as a world ending problem? Yeah, I can't wait for book 2, either.
Target Audience: I would recommend for middle readers who are good with abstract concepts or young adult readers, as there are a lot of higher and stranger concepts in this book. Bonus points for BIPOC central world and an opening of new topics of discussion for younger readers. Be aware of threats of danger/violence and mind-altering consent issues in the book, which can be TWs or more open doors for discussion.
World building was fabulous, dystopian feel was reinforced through the narrative without rubbing it in your face, a magic school that felt valid and uncomfortably real, as well as a world ending problem? Yeah, I can't wait for book 2, either.
Target Audience: I would recommend for middle readers who are good with abstract concepts or young adult readers, as there are a lot of higher and stranger concepts in this book. Bonus points for BIPOC central world and an opening of new topics of discussion for younger readers. Be aware of threats of danger/violence and mind-altering consent issues in the book, which can be TWs or more open doors for discussion.