For such an interesting premise, there were definite strong and weak points in the book

+ the magic system and lore was really well fletched out and really interesting
+ Iona’s character growth was  really interesting
+ I liked the ending
+ I enjoyed the rhymes that set and foreshadowed the books plot

- the mc and the love interest are so basic and so is their angsty love !! I’m tired of these dark haired chiseled cheekbone broody men and women characters that are in constant panic mode
- the plot was extremely predictable from the start, which made the characters seem dumb or lacking critical thinking skills. 
- I needed more. More descriptions of the world around them, the people, the mood of the environment. Though the writing style in itself it pretty detailed, it is focused on eye, hair, and clothe color majority of the time.

Overall, it was an okay read but I feel like I know exactly what’s gonna happen in the next book, so why waste my time reading it.