My primary feeling upon finishing is disappointment. The first third of the book had me convinced that I was reading an all time classic. The world was interesting, the political/magic system had so much potential for commentary on our society, the central mystery around Caeror’s death was gripping. Everything about the book felt perfectly crafted — and then we went to the school.

From part 2 onward, the book felt aimless and downright pandering. It legitimately felt like Islington was just taking elements of the most popular fantasy series and shoehorning them into the book like his only goal was to produce a synopsis that was approved by an SEO committee.

Oh, you liked the school in Harry Potter? Well here’s a completely soulless one that won’t be developed and will distract from the central hook of the first third of the book.

You liked The Hunger Games? Well, here’s a really rushed version where nearly everything interesting or impactful happens off the page.

You like fantasy series? Well here’s a very interesting central mystery that could be used as the driving force behind a truly special standalone that is mostly ignored while other much less interesting things are introduced at a dizzying pace to justify additional books.

Seems like power fantasy is big nowadays, so here’s a protagonist who is almost comically adept at every aspect of this society.

You like heroic animals? Look no further.

Magic? It exists and is mysterious™️.

Maybe I’m cynical, but this book really felt like something special at the beginning, and I think it could’ve been an all-time great standalone. Instead, we got a book whose last two thirds are just a summary of recent fantasy’s most popular tropes and a vague promise that we’ll eventually get to the interesting stuff. What a shame.