Rating 3.5/5
This book needs to downsize - a lot.
I really wanted to give this book a better review because it touches on so many important topics like ICE concentration camps, immigration, etc. But there is so much info dumping that it takes away from the story. Each chapter felt like they introduced an important piece to the plot, but some interruption always happens mid-conversation and when we return to the "conversation" we get a rushed closure of the topic that doesn't feel right.

Banter. That's about 40-50% of the book. There so much banter sometimes that it takes away from the plot.
Plot. There's so many. I started a notepad listing events that happened but it got out of control. There's TOO much plot that it doesn't give each story justice. I wish the author picked 2-3 storylines to follow to dive in deeper, because they felt too surface level.
Characters. There were so many that my eyes started glazing over each name. They each have their own lore which I was interested in but again, each character's story was so rushed that we don't get to fully appreciate their character and they turned out one dimensional.
Fairy Tales is interwoven into technology, but there again is so much that it can be overwhelming.

Overall, the story was interesting but could be split up into 2-3 books to add more depth. If you are interested in politics you would be able to understand the depth of the book more but if you aren't the info dumping tries to get you caught up but falls short sometimes. I believe this author has so much potential with this series. Again it just needs to downsize a lot to flow better but I'm happy such important topics are getting talked about.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to enjoy this ARC!

Warm regards,
Diana Banana

The second book in the A Hundred Names for Magic trilogy, an unforgettable alternative history fairy-tale series from the author of The Bone Witch about found family, modern day magic, and finding the place you belong.

Tala, Alex, and the rest of their friends are safe for now, but know the Snow Queen is still out there. They have to be prepared for when she eventually attacks—and all decide to do so in their own way.

This is a mash up of a bunch of fairy tales.... I like this better than Wicked as you wish because we know this world now. The first book took me a while to get into because it's a detailed and complex magical world. But the payoff is so worth it. :) The characters continue to be great and the plot is suspenseful. Another great book in this series. I finished it in one day btw.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.