Can a book cure depression? No, but this one sure got close. Admittedly I may say that about every good book, but I'm in a dark place and this book was truly a joy to read.

I really liked "Captive Prince". I enjoyed the parts of "Fence" I've read. I love this book. It's not just in the way it's possibly a love letter to nerdy stuff I grew up with, but also in the way it read like poetry, particularly in the second half, much like "The Last Unicorn" always did.

I love all the characters (particularly James, but also Violet, Will, Cyprian, Justice, Devon...). I love the world-building. I love how it feels nostalgic - like how reading new fantasy stories as a kid felt. Not that this isn't a book adults can enjoy, but that it just had that kind of whimsical feeling a lot of truly good fantasy has, and that I read a lot more when I was younger. But told in a more subversive light that I can better appreciate now.

Perhaps my biggest criticism is that the first... 1/3 or so feels kind of slow? (And a lot happens in that first 1/3, so that may just be a personal thing). But I was still curious to keep going, and sticking through it is incredibly rewarding. And that first 1/3 is still quite enjoyable. The second half of the story packs a wallop.

The way Pacat sprinkles hints of things throughout is quite amazing. I guessed a lot of things early on because of them, though one particular reveal might have been a mix of reading previews and peaking at the end, so I could spot the hints as I came across them. It felt like a fun mystery novel in that sense. I'm usually not good at that kind of thing, so it was nice. Truly, really great job.

One pairing does remind me of "Captive Prince", and honestly I just want to read more about them. Hoping we get more of them next book. It's just wonderful. And all the relationships in this are excellent. There are a lot of beautiful lines in this that I'm not going to quote because this is already too spoilery for my comfort. Truly a well-written, amazing story, that I plan to read again soon. Look forward to the rest of the series. ( )

The title and worldbuilding started off feeling like it was a riff on The Dark Is Rising series, but it becomes its own story. The three main characters struggle with how to be good people, or at least do good in this world. Of course, it's complicated by family expectations, blood, destiny, and the choices we make along the way;

I looke forward to reading the next book. ( )

This book is so worth it. It started slow, boring and I almost dropped it, but since it's Pacat I was expecting some slow development, and then after 60% it was just so absolutely awesome????? I can't wait another year to read the next book, someone please make the author write it faster ( )

What..? WHAT?!!?! Where's the rest of the book???

During my read of this book, I fluctuated between giving it 3 stars to 5 stars and I wasn't quite sure, because it was longer than I was hoping for. But. When the ending arrived, I was stunned it was only that long.

Around Ch.27 I got bored and wasn't sure why the story was dragging at that point. But the author has based the story on its twists and turns, the mystery and revelation mattering more than the adventurous fantasy. I admit, while reading it, I got some Harry Potter and Lotr vibes, due to the chosen-one trope, the dark shadows which I imagined like the Dementors, the magic, the dark power... however things are not how they appear and not how I predicted them to be.

I had formed two ships (as in relationships) that I thought would sail, and was dumbfounded when- certain kissing scene happened. I hadn't read anything else Pacat, however, I knew this book was queer and was utterly disappointed by some of the developments. HOWEVER! It was not as I thought it was. You can see I'm trying not to spoil anything here.

What I'm trying to say, is that I'm excited about how things turned out to be. I love me some good dark plot twist. And James. Every time he appeared in a scene, he immediately caught my interest. Some of the characters were likeable, most of them were interesting, but none of them were put out there in vain; the author had a purpose for all of them and I can see it clearly now.

I'm glad I finished this book and didn't drop it. There were times I was questioning whether it was weirdly written or if I was tired and couldn't read it. But it was simply building up to a point and the structure relied on the idea of revelation.

I liked this book. I thought it was a standalone. I was hoping it was, at first. Now I'm glad it isn't.

I'm afraid that if I talk more about the characters and the story, I'm gonna spoil something. And I don't want to, because the enjoyment of this book is based on you not knowing anything. So let's keep it that way.

Read this book if you like mystery, dark magic, chosen-one tropes and plot twists! ( )

An average 3 star fantasy at first, but there were some interesting turns hidden in the second half and I guess the second half was only this impactful because the first half felt so standard?
There is so much delicious dramatic irony... It's in the dialogue, the descriptions, the foreshadowing and the way the characters think. I could not stop thinking about this book. ( )