Breanna

This is such a interesting and unique take on a world after environmental and viral collapse. I enjoyed the worldbuilding greatly; it's a nice set up for the next novella in the series. Think of it as Act 1 of a 3 part story.

Plenty happens; you'd have to be just skimming the story to miss it all.

I'm looking forward to the next novella!

I found myself not enjoying this one as much as the first book, and I think it's due entirely to the secondary story that's in it. I love Torrance and West, but I wish Carrie gave us more lore on this alternative world she has made by writing about discoveries of diseases, viruses and the likes in the same fashion she did in the first book when she wrote the lore for Arcanism. Such a missed opportunity.

I ended up quickly skimming the Torrance and West parts because I found them boring. Ava's story was far more exciting and interesting.

She ended this second book by leaving room for a potential third. But even though I enjoyed this duology, I hope there is never a third book in the series. It's fine where it ended.

Long time Carrie Vaughn fan here!

This is an enjoyable historical fantasy with a unique magic system that relies on knowing creatures and/or plants.

I grew to love all the main characters and grew to despise Beth's family. The queer representation is handled very well.

The direction of the last 1/3rd of the story went very differently from what I was expecting and hoping for, but it's certainly not a bad direction.

I think that if Carrie writes a third book for the series, I'll happily reread this book!