Let me start by saying this book grabbed me from the first page. The magic system here isn't your typical wand-waving fantasy - it's called 'scriving', and it's all about convincing objects to behave differently. At first I was skeptical (where are my fireballs?), but the way the author slowly reveals how it works had me completely hooked.

The main character, Sancia, is a thief with a special ability and a sharp tongue. I loved her immediately. The way she moves through the city of Tevanne, pulling off heists while dealing with her own personal demons, felt so real. There's one particular object she steals early on that becomes central to the plot - I won't spoil it, but the reveal was one of those 'oh WOW' moments that made me put the book down just to process it.

What surprised me most was how the story starts small (one thief, one job) but grows into something much bigger without feeling forced. By the end, you're invested in multiple characters - my personal favorite being Orso, a grumpy scriver who knows way more than he lets on.

The last 200 pages were impossible to put down. I stayed up way too late finishing it because I had to know how everything would resolve (and yet still left me desperate for book two). The action sequences are cinematic - I could practically see them playing out like a movie.

Fair warning though: this isn't a light read. It deals with heavy themes like slavery and PTSD in ways that feel authentic to the world. But if you're looking for fantasy that breaks molds with its clever magic system and unforgettable characters, this is absolutely worth your time.