Overall I really enjoyed this book! I totally recommend if you are looking for a historical fiction meets magical realism.

Wins: the author does an amazing job of setting the historical scene. From the beginning she ensures the reader knows about the limitations of being a young unmarried woman in 1884 to what it was like to be an Egyptian during European colonialism. She even had me doing a quick Google search of what caused Britain to invade Egypt in the 1880s. The pace was really well done and the actions scenes kept me going.

Personal reasons why this is not a 5⭐️: As I read more fantasies I am realizing I don’t enjoy those that center the relationships. I kind of find that the romance scenes get in the way of me totally enjoying the book, because they tend to pop up in the most in opportune times for me. That is strictly a personal reason, the scenes in this book are age appropriate (young adult) and are written well. Secondly the main female character is 19 and repeatedly makes 19 year old decisions. I am hoping in the next book she has learned some lessons and won’t keep making the same mistakes.

Despite that I am still looking forward to picking up the second book and reading how this story ends!