Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this read! Thea is a wonderful narrator, and I loved how she grew as the story progressed. In a time when women were told to stand in the background and be docile, Thea stands out as strong and willing to fight for what she wants. The author does a fantastic job of letting the writing reflect the madness that starts to affect Thea as she tries to save her loved ones by creating the Philosopher's Stone. I think the second half of the book was paced a little quicker than the first half, but everything included did add to the plot as a whole. The ending does wrap up the story as a standalone, though I would love to know what Thea decides to do with her life next. Overall, this is a quick and enjoyable read that I would recommend.

Buy, Borrow, or Bypass: If you like historical fantasy standalones, then definitely buy. If you're curious about it and think you'll only read it once, then borrow. I haven't decided yet if I want a hardcover copy for my personal shelves. Right now I'm content that I read it once, though that cover is pretty stunning. I do think it's worth a read though, so don't bypass it. :)