This line in the book's description tells you all you need to know: "Memoirs of a Geisha meets The Name of the Wind." Geisha with magic must fight monsters, and the protagonist is supernaturally gifted yet repeatedly neglects to listen to those around her. My one complaint is there are elements of the story which feel a bit derivative - just like Golden's Sayuri, Chupeco's Tea must first work as a servant before the training house's mistress, a sharp-tongued plutomaniac, decides Tea can begin formal training, and Tea harbors passionate feelings for someone outside her social class. However, Chupeco's magic system is fascinating, the writing is lush, and the ending's cliffhanger was unexpected and welcome. As the first in a series, I'm looking forward to reading the sequel!