The Gate of Memories

Some things I really loved about this book:

Each of the characters were so unique, and I fell in love with all of them (even creepy Mr. D'Croix). I feel like there were the perfect amount of characters to have a few side plots that woven nicely into the main plot. I also really loved the world building as there were wonderful descriptions of each of the planets. I really think the descriptions of each of the planets and their different versions of Gates, clothes, architecture, and climates brought the story to life. I also wanted to note that I don't normally enjoy stories that take place on multiple different planets or have chapters that are told from different characters' point of view. With this book, however, I really loved that the different characters had their own chapters, and I think the inclusion of different planets was really well done. I also loved the ending as I felt it was very satisfying and finally answered some questions that I'd had for most of the book.

As for the things I have issue with, there is a bit of inconsistent information given about Brywn's magical abilities as it is first stated that she has been well-trained in lesser magical abilities. Then she later goes on to say that there is no such thing as magic, implying that she doesn't know any magic. Then shortly after, after having one 5 minute lesson on how to turn flowers into grass, she is able to use her magical abilities to perform a - what I assume to be based on a previous description - very high level spell on her own to get everyone through the Gates. I completely understand the necessity of her character and abilities to make the story move along, but the inconsistencies do pull me a bit out of the story.

Another small issue that I have is that most of the book is spent with half the characters searching for Lunrea after she is whisked away by Death into a seam in the universe. With Death's history of killing people, however, I found myself wondering why the characters immediately jumped to the conclusion that they had to go searching for her and not that she was dead. I think it would make sense if their first thought was that she was dead, but they didn't want to accept that without knowing for certain, so they wanted to find her dead or alive to know what happened to her, but I do think the fact that they never even considered that she might be dead not quite in line with the rest of the story.