I did not based my five-star rating based on the heavy gay theme which goes against all of my personal beliefs. I based it on how well it was written, had a great plot and actually did make me feel protective of the characters trying to do good in an evil world. I could appreciate broken characters of any sexuality searching for love, though. We all need love. I usually don't read Science Fiction, but I truly loved this book. It was interesting to read how the author explained how various magical inventions worked based on scientific principals demonstrating the author's cunning mind. The action grows slowly. Little excerpts of information are provided that build toward this wonderful plot of saving those who are oppressed. The characters are so carefully displayed, yet concealed, to make you wonder the whole time: Who REALLY is the good guy and the bad guy? How far is too far to do terrible things in the name of the greater good? I have to admit that I see a glimpse of myself in the main character Noam, who is determined to fight for the underdog (in this case, the immigrants) and is willing to not back down from taking risks to do so. I have always pulled for people to have their rights, despite race, creed or sexuality. The ending is such that I am satisfied. It does leave the reader wondering what will happen next. I can easily visualize a Part 2 to this book. I won't say how, avoiding spoilers. It will be interesting to see if someone turns this into a movie. ( )

This book drew me in from the very beginning. I enjoyed the world building, the characters were awesomely diverse and well developed. The science was interesting and the world building and magic were awesome, but the characters, the characters kept me reading, they kept my attention. I wanted to know how it ended and yet I didn't want it to end! I can't wait for the next book.

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.* ( )

The webtoon was better ( )

Couldn't put it down

A gripping read with a fascinating world and complex characters. I'm still not sure how I feel about who's in which side. Everything is shades of grey. ( )

This book grabbed me from the moment I started reading it and still haunts my thoughts almost a year later. Firstly, the main character has so many layers to him that slowly reveal as the book goes on and some that change as he grows. The world building and magic system are intense, a strange mix of the familiar current world with understandable human foibles and the fantasy. The world in this universe was only fantastical through the magical plague, the human reaction to the plague, the classism, prejudice, fear mongering, false narratives, unreliable history are all realistic. ( )