This book was phenomenal. The world building was so complete and intricate, loosely mirroring America of the early 20th century. Wes's family are Banvish-Sumic, a mirror of the Irish Catholic immigrants in New York at the turn of the century (often in terribly working conditions and with large families living in small spaces, all because they had to flee their homeland). Margaret's father is Yu’adir (a fantasy representation of Judaism), he was ostracized by New Albion (their predominantly Katharist (Protestant) hometown) because of his religious beliefs. Margaret is therefore treated, by many of the town, just as her father was, even with a famous alchemist mother. Wes and Margaret face continuous bigotry from certain townsfolk, and even those that are nice to them and try to help can never really stop or deter others from releasing their hate. The way the world of this novel weaves together these two outcasts, throws hate and anger at them for just existing, is horrifying and heartbreaking (and so realistic it is painful). I was so enraged for these two characters who were just trying to live in a world that wishes for them to cease existing. It is also a story about needing to prove your worth, whether to the world or simply your family. Wes does not want to give up on his dreams of being an alchemist, because it is the only way he can make the world a better place for his people (the Banvish-Sumic). Margaret works hard to please her mother, who is never there and who never really sees her when she is. These two characters slowly begin to heal the hurt in each other, by defending and listening to one another. By seeing their faults and loving them anyways. Familial bonds are also important. Especially when Margaret is introduced to Wes's chaotic, but loving, family. His eldest sister may fight with him constantly and not understand why he continues to follow the path of an alchemist, but she loves him none-the-less. Margaret is able to really understand that her life with her mother is unhealthy, that she is in an emotionally abusive home. It is through being with Wes's family that she realizes she has not felt her mother's true love in a long while, has not had the happinesses of a family and is instead living in a fantasy world of her own making (believing her mother can ever be the person she was before). This book really shines a light on the machinations of families and how easily they can both build a person up and tear a person down. Wes is able to pursue his dreams because of his family, while Margaret is stuck on her estate, unable to leave or grow or even dream, because of hers. The romance is slow burn, but so beautiful. Wes is a charmer, it is what he does, so when he meets Margaret and cannot charm her he is confused. Margaret is a loner and mistrusts everyone outside of her home. The two of them collide and somehow manage to fall in love. The banter is spot on, there is a moment involving a smutty novel that had me howling and then aching for them. These two are just too vulnerable and adorable and you root for them the whole novel through, even when Margaret is being an unrelenting brick wall and when Wes is so obtuse to other women using him. Another thing I loved was how each religion is so distinct and the book showing how each religion views the hala (the magical beasts who roam the world and destroy it). They all believe in them, but each religion has a slightly different idea of what they truly are, whether they were meant to be put on this Earth to help guide mankind, whether they are small Gods or whether they are demons meant to be killed. Just a perfect depiction of how religions can be so similar in their beliefs, with slight differences here or there, and yet how chasms of hate are formed between them. If you are going to read this novel, I highly encourage you to check out the audiobook. The narrator did an amazing job bringing each character to life. The accents she used to depict Wes, as well as their Katharist foil (Jamie), was spot on. I was so entranced by the reading, I could not stop listening. I could imagine myself in a seaside village in New York around the 1920s, with magic streaming throughout and the wealthy walking around flaunting themselves. The novel sucks you in, so even while some moments were slow and the story is long, you feel that it is necessary for Wes and Margaret's growth as characters. They need to slowly come to terms with who they are and what they are willing to do in order to achieve their dreams.
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