My likes: The magic in this world was interesting and complex but also not fully explained, which somehow just made it feel even more realistic, like the characters have no need to mull on how magic works because it's just such a normal part of their lives.
I also was a little worried, based on the time period, that there would be quite a bit more overt homophobia, and I was pleased to be wrong about that—there are some oblique intimations that maybe someone else out there might care about two men in a relationship, but none of that ever shows up from a key character, not even the ones with whom the MCs have tense relationships. As someone who generally prefers not to run into much homophobia in my fantasy (because there's enough of it in the real world) that was really refreshing for me.
Lastly, I just really enjoyed the personalities of the two MCs. I like that they're very different people with very different backgrounds but it's also clear how and why they would be attracted to each other, magical spoiler reasons notwithstanding. And even though the progression of their relationship is... somewhat nontraditional and definitely not super linear, it's still a believable relationship that isn't forced through any contrived misunderstandings in order to drag out the will-they won't-they tension.
My gripes: Honestly, none really? I guess maybe it would have been fun to see a little more about where the magic system actually comes from, and I could make a case for dragging the climactic scenes out a little bit just to build suspense, but overally I thought this was a fun and quick-paced book.
Super glad I took that random TikTok comment rec and now have a new series to hyperfixate on!
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