[Bookworm_Girl]

I agree there was just too much genre clash going on. I almost gave up on the book at 50%. The author has received awards for her historical fiction, and I think that explains why the history part was so interesting. I thought the first 25% in the modern world was well-written, setting up an interesting mystery to be resolved. Then the next 25% was a mess. The folded maps was the only magic. There wasn’t much mystery, and it seemed the book was pivoting to a romance. Not to mention all the tropes/stereotypes piled on top.

I also agree with some of the earlier comments that the story was too on the surface. I would have preferred a more focused story with fewer characters with deeper development. I would have enjoyed more magic. I thought the folded maps concept was interesting.