Okay, so I am flittering between a 3-3.5 stars for this one but can’t quite decide how I feel about it. On the one hand, this book included some things I loved and I really like both of these authors, but on the other, it felt like it was trying to be something it’s not.

What did I like?
- First of all, the characters. I really thought Candence and Slate were both unique and interesting characters. Their dynamic was great, I thought they were both very witty and I could see a growing romance between them well.
- I liked the concept of the story. I always like books where the characters have to solve a puzzle or go and search for something to solve a puzzle.
- I thought the pacing of the story was great and I did fly through this book easily.

I think one of my main issues with this book was the sudden bursts of info dumping and then nothing for ages and another dump of info. I couldn’t really picture the town they were in and I wanted more backstory of the locals opinions on magic etc. I felt like we as the reader were told a lot but not shown anything.
I also think what happens/revealed about Candence’s father was very predictable and from the first chapter I knew something was wrong. I feel like the book might have worked better if his character didn’t look so shady in the first place.

Overall, a decent, well written light fantasy book that had some really good elements to it. I would pick up the second book as I’m curious after that ending.
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Can I just say that this book needs more than 5 stars?! Like a bunch more! I went into this book completely blind and loved every single page. I couldn't put it down until the very end and even now, I have to know what happens next! What can I send y'all to help speed this process up?!

Slate is such an amazing, morally grey character! I completely get where he's coming from. If someone let me suffer for 17 years and then popped up like heyyyy, I'd be pissed too! I'd want to get a little revenge on them.

Cadence is an adorable history buff and a prude. Everything Slate is not. And yet, she's who will wear him down in the end. He says he'll wear her down, but he's the one going soft here.

Can't get enough of this book! I highly recommend!