The thing I like about this book is that it lingers in pleasant ways. The world, the characters, the bit of adventure and magic—when I walked away my sense memory if the story was comforting.
Then I started reading again and remembered that Elena is judgmental and kind of obnoxious. She always assumes the worst in people. She has no sense of subtlety or understanding of anything beyond blunt explanations. And she never considers that her own ignorance might be at play more than other people’s malice. This book is a perfect example if why education is so much more than reading or math or general knowledge. It involves critical thinking and interpersonal dynamics. Both of which Elena lacks beyond the basics.
All of which would make sense given her character and history but it just ruins everything with Lucas. What should be fun interactions and mishaps and insights and exciting are disappointing because Elena spoils it every time by assuming the worst in him and walking away convinced she’s superior which just makes her seem petty and ignorant. I’m repeating myself but it just ruins what could have been fun.
Also there’s clearly more going on here with some complicated machinations. But since Elena remains ignorant of them so foes the reader. It ferls like there’s more happening under the story but it never rises to the surface in satisfying revelation. The final ‘reveal’ is obvious to everyone but Elena who has so sense of any complexities.
Overall, it reminds me of The Burning Sky, perhaps because of the cold prince unapologetically adept at the insincerity of court politics. This book is pleasant enough, but The Burning Sky is better.