Was tough going between the one-half and three-quarters mark but picked-up at the end. I liked the magic system and especially enjoyed the explanation for magic itself. Like Temeraire, the book "explains" actual historical events with magic in a very fun way.

The plot twist really worked well. It felt right within the context of the story and for the characters. It provided a solid villain who had a rational argument for why he was doing the evil deed. But the author doesn't make the villain "misunderstood" or just different. Nope, he's evil. But rational.