I think the best course of action for this review is to divide it into two parts: the audiobook, and the story. I also feel the need to express that this is solely my opinion.

The Audiobook: This was my first audiobook I ever listened to (at least in full), and I must say that it was not a good experience. I'm not sure how it is done in most other productions, lack of experience, like I mentioned, but having the narrator pitch her voice lower for male characters was...not it. I feel like I would prefer if her voice was consistent throughout all characters, even if that could become a bit confusing. It was just cringe at times, and I hate that I'm saying that. I don't know if it's a production choice, or a narrator choice...either way it really, really didn't work for me. The audio quality was good, from a technical standpoint; the voice was clear and well-recorded so, not all bad, right?

The Story: Okay. Okay. I'm going to try this without spoiling much, if at all, but I feel like I was waiting for one thing and a train slammed into me with a whole other thing that I did not enjoy. I was so excited for the dark academia, the rivals-to-lovers, a bargain and a really beautifully conceived world-building. The world didn't fully disappoint: it was something I had never read before and I thought it was super creative. A world where mortals can commune with gods, magic created from constellations? Sign me up. Now unfortunately, the rest was lacking. The writing wasn't that good, and the only characters I actually liked were Cassius and Dorian, and even that fell through after a while. Claudia was insufferable, point blank. Her constant non-changing stance on who she is and isn't, it was repetitive and groan-inducing. Claudia and Cassius sounded like they were sixteen at times, which is terrible since they had: The train (which is what I will name the...relationship dynamic between Cassius and Claudia). The train, like I aforementioned, slammed into me and I hate it. Some trains are good. This one either made me laugh from psychic damage or, like Claudia, made me groan with displeasure. It started completely out of nowhere and with no real foundation. Why would they do that? They were fully hating each other like five minutes ago. Their relationship was weird, baseless, and way, way too sudden. I can't really say anything else without going into spoiler territory, so I think I'll take my leave here.

I'm honestly sad I didn't enjoy this, but that's a reader's reality. Some books just aren't for you.

(Free Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley and Hachette Audio | Redhook that I chose to review after reading - Cross-posted on Goodreads on May 11th, 2026)

It's like every volume just keeps upping the ante and I don't know how it just keeps getting crazier and better.

I adore the different issue designs for this one. To have drawings and colouring so distinct in one story was such a cool experience and expression of storytelling. It felt new and the same, altogether. That cliff-hanger, what a moment.

Once again, and 'til the end: Thank you Marisha Ray and Taliesin Jaffe. You'll never see this, but it still mattered to me.

I must say this wasn't of my favourite books of Ana's. But that's okay :)

I liked Xavier and I was sometimes mildly annoyed by Sloane but she was okay, I guess. I loved Pen, I wanted more Pen. Always more Pen. I've been reading Ana's books since 2022 and, even if a book isn't one of my most liked, I'll always be loyal to her stories. Plus, they're always a nice easy-breath once in a while because I'll know I'll have a good time.

About this one, I didn't particularly like how rushed the romance is, and I felt like there were some things we were left not getting answers to, but it wasn't too irritating. Also, though I think it's really fun how all the characters in Ana's books are connected, it does get a little tiring to always have some mention of what the others are doing. I feel like, after a while, I just want to focus on what the characters in this book are doing, not what others are saying or doing. It's a nice revisiting moment, but I think it's too much at times.

I am excited over King of Envy because Vuk is a character that deeply intrigues me so I feel like I'm in for a treat with the next one.