I enjoyed this book, but it lacked the 'wow' factor. 
 I liked that the story was set in (slightly) more modern times than the usual medieval era, and this allowed the author to create a whole new magic system involving guns, bullets and gunpowder. I found this quite imaginative, and I enjoyed the distrust and rivalry between the two main classes of magic users. Of the protagonists, I liked Tamas the best and enjoyed his POV. I couldn't make myself care too much about the others, though I found the mysterious Pole quite intriguing. The various plots were interesting enough to keep me turning the pages, and it was a pretty quick read for a nearly 550 page-length book. 
 I'm finding it hard to pinpoint exactly what makes me only like - but not love - the book. It's kinda like that thing people say about Chinese food: it's good at the time, but leaves you unsatisfied an hour later. When I was reading the book, it was engrossing and I was whizzing through the pages. But, as soon as I put it down, it faded completely from my awareness and I never felt those invisible strings pulling me back to it. Yet when I did pick it up again, I was back to devouring it. So, good at the time, but overall it didn't fulfil. 
 I might pick up the sequel, just to see what happens, if I haven't forgotten everything that happened in this book. Unfortunately I strongly suspect that's what's going to happen. 
 I'd award 3.5 stars, but I always try to err on the generous size with a series debut, so I'll round it up to four.