it needs improvement. It has an ok plot but it is insistant. The comedy is out of place in this dark fantasy and feels disjointed. The promise is interesting. It needs lots of editing to flesh out the world and characters. Cool that;s by a poc author but it needs work.

I think the one thing this book has going for it is the world building. It comes alive on the page and becomes a part of you. This story was fantastic and readers both apart of the LGBT community and those that are not are going to love this one!

Don't believe the hype this is NOT Harry Potter or The Magicians! Brooding, predictable and less sci-fi than midling YA - LBGT coming of age story. Didn't like Nova AT ALL; abrasive, self-aggrandizing, egotistical and seemingly without magical talent. Her "jokes" were not funny. The occasional PoV switch between her and Lake was annoying. Lake wasn't worth the effort it might take to relate to him He feels inferior to his (dead) brother and...he is. Can't get into any schools, no friends (except said brother), no talents, no interests, no character, easily manipulated, can't make decisions, can't do magic but insists on staying in a school for magicians...why? He doesn't want to be a nobody but doesn't show enough character to be anything other than that. The Mother is just a ridiculously over-the-top character, father is predictable pablum. The characters who actually have talents and magic are way more interesting. The brother's ex-girlfriend, the school executives, even the Driver have more appeal than Lake and Nova. I wouldn't read any follow-up books.

I hadn't read anything like this in some time but really enjoyed reading this book, I found it to be well paced and written. An enjoyable read overall

When I read this book is the combo between The Descent and The Magicians it intrigued me immediately!

It's been a while since I read a book about magical school and I did enjoy this book a lot! I'm gonna break down my plus-minus with this book. Warning: this book is pretty gory!

- Characters:
I like that the protagonist Lake is a black gay man. I think it's pretty rare to see that in a fantasy book (or fiction book in general). I like that each core characters, Lake Knox Nova Stone, have different distinct personalities. I do really love Knox a lot and his protective demon Jabeya. <spoiler>I almost scream myself at night when I read Knox is dying and turned into a Neth</spoiler>

- Magic system:
I like the idea of using magic (faeri) with writing sigils. Kinda reminds me of The Mortal Instruments though. The author explained how the magic works as the story progresses and not just dumping everything at the same time, so we reader doesn't get confused.

- Dual POVs:
I usually love multiple POVs but I only prefer Lake's and I think Nova's is unnecessary.

- Plot:
There are some time jump or weird inconsistencies. I get that I read an eARC and this book is still in the editing process. <spoiler>When the first time Lake went to the school through a portal, he left a note for his parents that sounds a little alarming even though he stated that he is fine. Don't his parents will be a little freakout? I mean after they lost Dev, and suddenly Lake left. But when Lake back from the school after McHugh wiped his memories, their parents said they need time as well and plan to go on vacation like it's not big of a deal and not asking any questions when they see Lake back home. But then the Mom went crazy and begged him not to go when Lake about to leave to he said school.

Also, Dev decision to stay with his family even after he knows that will die seems a bit off. If he loves his family, doesn't it better for his family to know that he left them and leave the mundane life but safe and sound rather than see him dead? Also, the school is known to have a gala where kids that have humans (gida) as their parents can get them invited to the school. Meaning if Dev left, he could still see his family here and there. If the council is afraid that gida will expose them, they have that flower kind of thing that can wipe memories.</spoiler>

The last 20% is intense and I honestly did not ready for the ending!!! The cliffhanger is killing me. I need the sequel now!

❗Thank you to the author for giving me the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review❗