I really enjoyed this plot-driven fantasy that never stops moving long enough for poor Theo to catch his breath. From the moment he turns 13, this becomes a fast-paced move it or lose it story. While the reader knows a few things that Theo doesn’t, we learn a lot more about the world he thought he knew right alongside him. In some ways, this reminds me a bit of the first Percy Jackson. Theo isn’t safe anywhere, even in the places that he’s supposed to be. And while there is no oracle to send him on a quest, Theo decides that to save the only father he’s ever known, he’s going to undertake a quest that has eluded people for decades.

My favorite character in this book is definitely Fuse, the Apto belonging to Theo’s father, Chimius. He is the sarcastic moral compass of the story, and I adored him. He is an amazing guide for Theo even when, like a typical teenager, Theo doesn’t listen to him. Theo makes a few friends along the way, and they tag along on his adventures, though I was never clear on why they wanted to be friends with him to begin with. Some are merely names thrown in to fill out the cast with no characterization to them all.

There is a lot of good world-building, but there were also many aspects where it fell short. The Fortress was built before the extermination of all Alkremists in Paris, when they were still allies, and yet none of the Archemists seem to know it exists. What the Archemists do that is different from the Alkremists isn’t explained very well. And why does this division, that is apparently genetic, exist to begin with?

Overall, this is an enjoyable read, especially if you don’t overthink it, which I have a tendency to do. To that end, I believe that middle-grade readers will enjoy it. I will recommend that the middle school librarians order a copy for their library.