What a wild ride! (And if you've read this book, you know that could mean a few things) Netta has lived in a tower her entire life with only her preoccupied mother and a telepathic raven as companions. She's suddenly thrust into a kingdom in conflict and forced to navigate interactions with other people as well as an epic quest. 

I really enjoyed the world of Virelith and how vividly Andrea Eames brought it to life. The characters were complex and well developed. I really enjoy when you learn about characters' backstory organically. Netta experiences a massive amount of personal growth, and it is wonderful to see her grow from a young woman who believed herself to be "silly. soft. slow" into a veritable powerhouse, ready to walk up to the most powerful men in the kingdom and state her demands. Despite "trust [being] the mother of deceit" Netta does find people she can lean on and learn from.

I cannot review this book without a nod to Baldbeak, the raven, who at more than one point, stole the show. I am not much of an annotator, but I found many of the sticky tabs I stuck in this book were due to his wit and antics. I may go so far as to say he is a strong contender for side character of the year (this is a brand new and completely arbitrary ranking system that I just now imagined - it's fine).

This book is perfect for those who enjoy fantasy with sprinkling of traditional fairy tales woven in. While there is plenty of whimsy, there are some darker themes and mild gore, so I wouldn't describe this one as a cozy fantasy.

I can't think of a more perfect book to have kicked off my new book club with! Stay tuned for a special episode of Endpapers: A Bookish Podcast featuring Andrea!

Thank you to Andrea Eames, BookSparks, and Erewhon Books for the beautiful #gifted book. All opinions are my own.

🗨️ Everything you know changes is an instant, which animal/creature are you taking with you on your quest for the truth?