Note. My opinion of this book is very based on the hopes of a second book. If there is no second book then this is only worthy of 3.5 stars. Too many things currently unanswered. It was worthy of a 4.5 star journey but it has been 2 years and not even a whisper of a second book being worked on. 
 This was a very well done book. A great debut novel from Emory Sharplin! 
 The story quickly drew me in with the hard life of young Tucker. A young girl/women of 12 years, who was left as a baby on the steps of a small town 'orphanage.' I say that lightly as there is no one that seems to be running it or adding the children and in fact children found to be orphans are hung when caught. Her life changes when a women named Vivian whisked her away, creating a fake identity for her. 
 This book does a great job painting the backround for Tucker. A fantastic job portraying her history, and often snarky personality. Smart, quick-witted and compassionate. I absolutely loved her character! Vivian seems to be well portrayed but is such a mystery through the entire book it is hard to peg her down. 
 The world that they live in is nicely portrayed. I can clearly see in my mind Tucker running from the guards, the maids trying to dress her for the first time, the run-down church/orphanage. It all had a very nice medieval setting and feel, with the slightest undercurrent of a fantasy element. That element grows stronger throughout the book in the form of alchemy. 
 And then there were riddles! I love riddles to this appealed to me heavily. Here is an example from the book: "I am the beginning of the end. I enclose eternity and time. I am within reason, but not though. What am I?" 
 Now my concern for this book. I did not realize that it was a series when I first got this. I was reading toward the end as the pace picks up, on edge wondering how the author is going to finish in such a short amount of space. Then I find out, this is book 1. My concern is that I can find no mention about book 2. No website/blog, no title, no hopeful release...I don't even know if it is being worked on yet. One, I hate long waits. by the time the next books come out, I am no longer looking for them. Two, so many authors drop out of series writing and never finish. This is even more so for new authors. So my rating is very generous in the hopes that there will soon be a book 2. 
 Overall, nicely done! If you like Tamora Pierce, be sure to check this out! 
 I received this book from Netgalley. So I would like to thank them, the publisher at Greenleaf Book Group and Ms Emory Sharplin for this opportunity. This was given to me in return for an honest review. I actually like this enough to go buy the book one I am sure there is going to be a book two.