LADIES HOLD THE LINE AND STAY IN FORMATION. WOW this was an experience. Reading this book was like swallowing a rock and then it just stayed in your gut and you can’t do anything about it because it’s not digestible. I mean in a good way, if thats a thing. So I read the synopsis and thought it was angsty, that seems fun. Spoiler: prepare for emotional devastation and not fun. But in a good way. Things are going to get really awful, and then continue to do so, but you’re going to have to stay strong and trek on. It will be worth it.

I loved everything about this even as it shattered my heart over and over again. The worldbuilding was amazing and I felt so strongly for these characters that every time I could see the puppet strings being manipulated it was like another dagger to my heart. WOW. Just wow. I was so invested and this was really whumpy so thanks for that. But the plot was engaging and it was a bunch of complex characters hurting each other despite loving each other, and wow morality just throw it out the window babes, I know the characters did! Ouch ouch ouch, I’ll be forwarding my therapy bill. Overall, that was one of the more thought provoking reads I’ve had this year, and I’ll need a few days to recover.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc and the trauma. I didn’t know I needed this, and some may argue that I don’t, but I’m happy for it. Amazing read, can’t wait for the next one.

Want to take damage?
Read this. Straight emotional arson.

First of all, sarcasm is also my love language, so Victor was a ✨vibe ✨

Everything was bad and got worse, and just when I didn't think anything could get any more awful, I was proven wrong.

The levels of lying and manipulation were hitting the high heavens throughout this entire book.

I don't know how many books total this is going to be (one more for sure), but at some point, I'm going to need Vic and Lu to kiss and work it out in the remix.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinions are my own.

This was so, so good. I went in expecting something fun after reading the synopsis, but what I got instead was EMOTIONAL DAMAGE in the best possible way. If you’re picking this up thinking it’ll be a light ride… prepare yourself. Things get bad, then worse, and then somehow even worse again. But it’s absolutely worth the heartbreak and the pain. Like bro, I think I'm masochist because dang this hurt like hell but as a reader it felt so good.

It gave me strong *Fourth Wing* meets *The Maze Runner* vibes with the high stakes, intense worldbuilding, and characters constantly pushed to their limits. Oh yeah and it had Arcane like vibes to. I feel like that's what the divide would look like. The emotional damage is real. I was completely hooked from start to finish.

The worldbuilding is phenomenal, layered and immersive without feeling overwhelming. I grew so attached to these characters that every time I could see the metaphorical puppet strings being pulled, it felt like another dagger straight to the heart. The story leans heavily into whump, characters hurting, sacrificing, and making morally questionable choices despite loving each other deeply. Morality? Who the hell needs morality best just not have it because it's gonna get ya f#cked. And somehow that makes it even more compelling.

The plot is gripping, messy in the best way, and packed with complex relationships that keep you emotionally invested. And Victor? Absolutely a vibe. I love characters like him.

Overall, this was intense, devastating, and completely addictive. Just… brace yourself.

Wow! This book was action packed from start to finish! The beginning reminded me of The Fourth Wing. I could not put this book down. I finished it in two reading periods. Every moment has you on the edge of your seat on what is going to happen next. It handled the friends to enemies really well. I loved both main characters even if one of them made me angry with his decisions. Anytime the two main characters, Lu and Vic, were together I was ecstatic, even if they were literally fighting. The supporting characters are great and add a little comedic relief. Serena is not really a main character, but definitely a notch above the other supporting characters. What we know of this world is great, but I feel like there is so much more to explore.

I will add though the writing is a little weak. The first chapter is the weakest but does get better as the book progresses. I was going to knock it down a star but I think the story carries it to 5 stars that I can excuse the writing.