"Read this book."

"A dark academia fantasy almost entirely concerned with the grating mundanity of teaching. If Naomi Novik's Scholomance series asks "Why do schools (and institutions in general) fail?", Tesh provides the answer: Because teachers have been failed.

Doctor Walden is a high-ranking professor who takes pride in doing her work and doing it well. Though that work is juggling teacher, parent, and magician, she finds satisfaction in sheparding her students even as she struggles to balance that obligation with her need to be human. I loved the philosophy of this book and the way it navigates this question. Walden doesn't need to be relatable to be compelling, but she is - through her strengths, relationships, and faults. Also appreciated how this book holds a sweetness towards growing older, which is pretty uncommon in general, much less a dark academia book. PLUS excellent fight scenes and a demonic entity that I didn't find annoying.

The only thing that raised my eyebrows is the love interest, who seems to be some kind of fantasy cop situation. Her line of work seems to be more of a "modernized knighthood" than law enforcement, which bears more weight than just aesthetics, but I didn't love that aspect regardless. Tesh is deeply concerned with how flawed systems fail individuals, so the introduction of a generally flattering portrayal of law enforcement (a much more prominent and violent example than academia, it hardly needs saying) directly contradicts the core themes of the book. Will be curious to hear others' thoughts and will make a note of it in recommendations moving forward.

otherwise: love love loved. A very compelling read that I will be thinking about a lot.

Please note that I work for Macmillan but am not involved in book production. Opinions are my own."