The book set in historical fantasy Paris starts off with Severin, who had previously been disinherited as Patriarch of House Vanth, on a quest to get his house artifacts back and to reclaim his title. Severin and his magical forging crew steal an ancient compass from House Nyx but get caught. Hypnos, the Patriarch of House Nyx, promised to restore House Vance if they steal a different artifact but plans go awry because there are unknown people seeking the same thing.
I loved the diverse characters. Zofia was my favorite because she was so literal. There was a part that had me seriously laughing so hard. I had to read the couple of sentences out loud because I was getting suspicious eye balls thrown in my direction. "Beauty is its own armor."
I did like the two characters that were denying/resisting attraction and another character's practice at flirtation... but for the most part I don't think the romance really did anything for the story at all.
History and backstory was introduced in small doses that really progressed the book. The descriptions of the clothes and scents and food all made me vividly imagine the setting. Magic was in everything; friendships, artifacts, myths, and riddles. Symbolism and math played an important role in this book.
I loved the diverse characters. Zofia was my favorite because she was so literal. There was a part that had me seriously laughing so hard. I had to read the couple of sentences out loud because I was getting suspicious eye balls thrown in my direction. "Beauty is its own armor."
I did like the two characters that were denying/resisting attraction and another character's practice at flirtation... but for the most part I don't think the romance really did anything for the story at all.
History and backstory was introduced in small doses that really progressed the book. The descriptions of the clothes and scents and food all made me vividly imagine the setting. Magic was in everything; friendships, artifacts, myths, and riddles. Symbolism and math played an important role in this book.