I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. I enjoyed Veronique, who was this shy sweet girl with the secret. However, I wish there was more knowledge on the Vaunted and the stakes or that it came earlier. They were meant to be this looking, dangerous presence, but the one time she interacts with them she takes them down? I also feel that this book had potential to be a bit longer to expand on familial and platonic relationships with the people she meets in New Orleans or Veronique’s romantic interests, who both had a sense of suddenness. Based on the ending, it’s clear that this is meant to be part one of multiple, so I’m curious to see where the story goes.

This was a beautifully done fantasy novel, it had that magical element that I was hoping for and was engaged with what was happening. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and how everything worked together to tell the story. K. Ibura wrote this perfectly and am excited for more.