Where do I even begin?!  The characters are compelling, the world-building is intriguing - mixing fairytale type characters and prophecies with modern medicine and technology - and the mysteries abound!

We know there is a hero.  And a maiden.  But who exactly in our story is supposed to fill those roles?  Is it really best if magic returns in abundance?  Or would it better for everyone if it was allowed to simply fade away?

Is Astrid doing what's best for the world?  Or are her motives selfish and self-serving?

One of the things I most enjoyed about the story is that none of the characters are entirely good or entirely evil.  They are complex and nuanced and it makes them all much more relatable even when I don't like what they are doing.  For some of them, there were moments of growth in the story that made me alter my original opinion of them.  I cannot wait to see what happens next!