I really dislike long explanations that are there simply to make the readers understand the history/lore of the story, regardless of medium. Witch Hat Atelier already did it in the previous volumes a bit, but I managed to ignore it. I couldn't this volume though, I just reallllly don't like wall of texts like those, ESPECIALLY in comics.

The art looks absolutely stunning, the colored pages are so gooooooood. I really like where this is going, the world building and magic system are really intriguing. It definitely has a Harry Potter vibe with the secret witch society, secret magic, prohibited magic, going shopping for magic supplies, witch school, a protagonist that is closely related to the villain... the similarities are THERE, but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment, especially because the characters, the world and the magic feel completely different. I do think it felt a bit rushed, but I'd rather have this than a super slow pacing. I also think the pacing will probably change and be slower in the next volumes.

I think I might be in love with Juliet Marillier. I loved this book! The atmosphere the author creates thanks to the prose, descriptions and world building is so beautiful and relaxing. I wouldn't necessarily call it a unique atmosphere, but it's unique in its intensity.

As I said, I love Marillier's prose. The pacing, as I think is usual in her books, is quite slow and it feels even slower due to the fact that the big twist is pretty obvious from the beginning. And when you feel like they're finally getting close to the big twist, we get temporarily set back AGAIN which was quite frustrating for me.

I loved the characters, Blackthorn and Grim especially aren't your usual leads for a novel such as this. As much as they aren't bad people, they aren't exactly nice either, but you cannot help feeling affection for them. They feel real, it feels like their tragic back stories aren't there just for show but have actually changed them. All other characters are also nice and quite lovable, expect for 2 which you will grow to hate passionately.

There are a few chapters specifically that deal with heavy topics, such as sexual assault and the mistreatment of women, among others. These chapters are in my opinion some of the best, if not the best, of the whole novel. Incredibly powerful and emotional. Plus, the author doesn't stop at surface level, but goes quite deep into various ramifications and representations of the problem. Not that the chapters end up feeling like essays or thesis, quite the opposite, they fit perfectly with the novel and the characters. I also deeply appreciated how respectful all the chapters felt, while the heaviness of the events are very clear, we don't really focus on the details of what and how it happened, but rather on the pain and consequences.

Absolutely wonderful read.