This was a bit of a rollercoaster - but like one of the small ones they can pack up and bring to a county fair. Between the slump in the middle of the writing and the jumping of the timeline, it was for sure a rollercoaster.

The start of book caught me - mysterious, strange deaths, the setting of early 1900s when advancing science was all the rage, and the rights of a non-white male weren't. The time jumps between the current story of the main character and the side characters at the Fair at the end of the story? Really kept me going. But I'd be lying if I didn't say the middle dragged for me and dragged hard.

I think I was waiting for either the supernatural or the romance to rev up faster than it did. There was important ground work laid for a complete and well-tied ending. But even then I was left wanting a bit more out of Inge's character.

Sticking it out was worth the drag tbh. This was a fun read in the end, but I'm not sure how quickly I'll recommend it along side my other books. I haven't read any other books by Kiersten White, but it seems that while this was enjoyable it was far from her best work. So I'm glad it at least opened the door for more of her books to me!

3.75/5

This was almost EXACTLY what I was looking for in a new standalone YA Fantasy. Beautiful symbolism dancing around a dystopian and aggressively religious and segregated society. Strange powers and amazing skills from the main character. Well written and succinct but fast moving plot and characters that gripped me from the first chapter.

This book was complex with a great twist or two, but still wrapped up in a way I enjoy! All questions answered and the contuation left to you as a reader.

I will admit - I went in blind beyond the description and missed that this was a LGBT+ tagged book. The main character was nonbinary, which isn't my typical read, but the writing kept me going and I'm so happy it did! The characters status wasn't a whole plot point in the story (which drive me crazy when it is in fantasy and has no purpose beyond a pedastool and bubblewrapping a character) and no one treated them differently because of that (I mean the author too)! It was pleasant to read and her characters were overall well constructed!

I haven't read any other of Becca Coffindaffer's work, but I'm excited to add her to my line up now!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!