This was a very very unique book.

This story follows Reva, a member of the Mauli tribe. The Maulis are known as the Wish Givers and can grant anyone’s wishes by tattooing the wish upon the requester. Several Mauli are trapped in the pits below the castle of the Ali’i, a tyrannical ruler. Reva decides to infiltrate the palace and “work for” (while secretly sabotaging) the Ali’i to save the trapped Mauli.

This book has the single most unique magic system I have ever encountered. I think the magic was explained really well, and I loved how each tattoo was described in great detail along with the materials Reva used to make them. I think this book is honestly worth a read just for the magic system alone.

I also think the world building was fascinating. Everything going on with the White Priests was so creepy to me and I LOVED it. The religious system was laid out uniquely and I felt like the way the city was set up was well explained too.

The reason I am only giving this 3 stars is because the writing felt very disjointed a lot of the time. I would read a sentence and feel like it didn’t make any sense and would have to reread the paragraph many times to try and understand. Characters occasionally said things that just did not make sense. I still would recommend this book despite this issue, but it definitely took away from my enjoyment of it.

3 stars. I think i will reread this book soon to take in the amazing magic and world again, and I will definitely be picking up future books by this author.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get far in this book. I found it confusing and lacking in explanation… it was hard to follow the storyline and I couldn’t seem to engage with the characters.

Firstly, I would like to thank Netgalley, Shannon Knight and her publishers for this e-ARC!

Wishes. Tattoos. Clever, badass women.

Intrigued? I was too. Did it deliver? Yes it did!

This novel was so unique and wonderfully crafted. The world building was amazing and I was so drawn to the world of the Mauli. The magic system is unlike anything I have every read before so I was excited every time we were able to experience it on page.

Reva was such an interesting character. She was clever and cunning and utilised her power in such an interesting and captivating way. The only thing I wish we got more of was her backstory - though I’m sure the ending of this book is setting us up to learn more about her past in potential sequels.

The romance in this book was unexpected… and I absolutely loved it! I was taken by surprise at who it turned out to be as the author put a few red herrings in the way to missway the readers! Clever.

While I really liked this book, there were some moments that felt a bit stagnant and a few characters who’s perspectives I wasn’t interested in such as Kahu, but this may have just been my keenness to get back to Reva’s Mauli Magic!

I would definitely recommend this novel to fans of unique and intricate magic systems, those who like independent and driven main characters and fantasy lovers.