This installment reminded me so much of Harry Potter and the HBP - the more intense, deep feelings of each character (particularly Aru) presenting themselves in the conflict in such a way that reminds you that yes, while they may be reincarnations of the children of gods, they are themselves children! I think I’ve realized that the series as a whole is much more character driven than plot driven, which isn’t a bad thing at all but can lead to the storyline being a little hard to follow. I didn’t love the cheesy naming of the group as “Potatoes”, which again, reminder that it’s a middle grade book, but! I felt more adult themes in this one, and the ending took me by surprise!!

FQ1: “She loved how it made her feel small. Not like she was insignificant, but like the world was so much vaster and more colorful than she could ever imagine. Like she belonged to something greater than herself.” ~ Aru about magic, pg. 135

FQ2: “ ‘We are all stitches in a fabric to vast to comprehend. But perhaps that is a good thing, for it means we are always exactly where we need to be.’ “ ~ Rohini, pg. 290