My first VE Schwab book. I'm pleasantly surprised to find out that I enjoyed it.

When I initally tried to read it, I actually found it a bit dull and draggy. Then, I switched to the audiobook and it was alot better. Maybe it's because I was in a bit of a reading slump so it was hard for me to consume the text or the narrator just really delivered on her performance but the writing reads a lot better as an audiobook.

The story itself is nothing revolutionary I feel but it was still captivating and the characters were very likeable. Plus, I just really enjoy the concept of musical instruments being used as weapons to reap people's soul, especially when it's a more classical instrument. There's just such a haunting elegance to it.

As for the plot, I was worried at first when the plot point in the summary hadn't fully kicked in at the halfway point and the resolution of the book was gonna be lacking but I was thankfully proven wrong. Since it's a series, I guess it can go a bit heavy on the set up and the worldbuilding/lore because it has a whole other book to resolve everything else so I'll give it a pass.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with this book and I will be continuing to the second book.