I think Susan Dennard has created a really interesting new world here. I'm fascinated by the history and the politics and the relationships between all these countries and societies, not to mention all the different witcheries. I think Susan is super ballsy in a good way for not having a defined villain. I like that all the characters are heroes and villains depending on the point of view. That feels incredibly real to me without pandering to the "every villain is a hero" trend. 
 The thing is...this is a fascinating world, but I don't feel like I know anything about it. I am so confused about how the witcheries work because there was so little introduction. I desperately want more world-building because so far, there's not enough for me. I also feel like the plot is rushed and even chaotic at times. It's not just that the characters are caught up in the action. I guess the best way is that it felt like shaky-cam narration rather than smooth camera operation that catches the action no matter how fast-paced and crazy it is, and I think that's a matter of taste. I had to go back and reread paragraphs often because I frequently found myself not absorbing the action due to the cloudiness of the narration when I really wanted more clarity. 
 I am hopeful that these are growing pains caused by a new world and some seriously fraught political and social and familial and romantic relationships. I'm absolutely willing to give Sooz and her witches more chances.