This is an enjoyable YA fantasy novel with elements of steampunk and a little bit of whimsy. The story follows young Xylia as she is rescued from having been shipwrecked and works to regain her former privileged position as the second most powerful magic wielder ("cagic" user in this world) in the city of Kaverlee. The story is written in first person perspective and present tense.

Elements I liked:
This story has great world-building, with the details well-integrated into the narrative, avoiding long explanations that could have detracted from the story telling. I really liked some of those details, in particular the cabdwell. And some places made me laugh: “Oh realms, I just knocked a brass statue out of a garden, and now I’m demolishing a fence, but at least I haven’t hit more buildings.”

Xylia is a strong female main character who is a completely believable 15-year-old. It was great to see her growth as she figures out who she is through questioning and learning more about what she thought she knew of the realities of her world and her place in it.

Elements I struggled with:
I thought the present tense read a little clunky, and from time to time also resulted in some awkward transitions and sentences, especially when trying to deal with time passing. I think it also dampened potential tension in the story, especially in the first half. (Events in the second half moved so fast that the momentum pretty much built its own tension.)

Overall:
The story was a little slow getting going but once it did, it was engrossing and enjoyable. This entertaining YA novel seems well-suited to its intended readership.

(Read July 2021) ( )

The story and characters are captivating and I was easily drawn in. I did have a bit of a time keeping track of names but this did not create a hindrance as far as being able to understand and get to know the individuals of the novel. I was pleased to learn quite a few new words as every good fantasy novel should teach the reader and I thought there were particularly clever twists and combinations, especially for the blood thirsty and seemingly always hungry nocturnes. I appreciated the interplay of "good" and "evil" and could draw lines from fantasy to the current state of affairs in our 2021 world. There were some wildly epic battles, and I do not want to reveal any outcomes, but let's just say everything did not turn out as I might have hoped or expected. At its root, perhaps this is a type of love story, but I think it is a coming of age novel in may ways, that shows the power of family, community, and ultimately hope to allow each of us to step into our true selves. ( )

Great YA fantasy story! A member of a fictional society that relies on cagic, a magic-like source of energy, encounters some problems when she is confronted with some unpleasant details about how this society sustains itself. The magic system is well designed, and the story and characters were engaging - I had a lot of trouble putting it down near the end. The book also explores the societal issues of this fictional community in an engaging manner. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I didn't want to set it down and read it in one sitting. The characters were great and the story engaging. However, the plot did feel a bit predictable, and I did feel that the ending was a bit rushed. All in all, it was a fun read that kept my attention for the entire story, and I did enjoy the development that Xylia went through during her journey. As you decide if you want to read this book, please keep in mind that I am in my early twenties, and this book is most likely marketed towards middle schoolers. Despite all this, I would still recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun, quick read. ( )