Wait this is so so good... I didn't catch this at all. And (sorry if this is implied or obvious, I had a brainblast while reading your post) just like Sciona's mirror that let's them see out of Tiran and into the Otherrealm, the mirrored plot literally takes us from Tiran to the Otherrrealm, from deception to truth. SO GOOD.
Also, side note: I wonder if Sciona's name is derived from the word "scrying" or "scryer" (ie someone who looks into mirrors / glass as a means of divination)
I noticed this when I read this book for the first time but that was before I was on Pagebound so now I want to present to you what I think is obviously on purpose but I don't ever see it mentioned.. the structure of the plot is in itself a mirror from start to finish:
} Thomil attempts a barrier crossing into Tiran
} Sciona attends a Highmage meeting in the form of her admittance examination
} Sciona moves into her new lab and is adjusting to her new surroundings and role
} Sciona begins some crazed spell work in her search for how she might crack the problem of barrier expansion
} Sciona discovers how to create the Freynan mirror and see the Otherrealm, she has to decide how to come to terms with what the Blight is
Now we're at the middle and Sciona and Thomil’s breaking points
{ Sciona has to come to terms with what she’s going to do with the news about the Otherrealm and the Blight
{ Sciona begins some crazed spell work in her search for how she might reveal this information to the public
{ Sciona is arrested, put in prison and has to adjust to her new surroundings and role of pariah
{ Sciona attends a Highmage meeting in the form of her trial
{ Thomil attempts a barrier crossing out of Tiran
astral.projection commented...
82w
Ahh I need to get on this one !! Heard nothing but positive things