I like the setting of this series at the cusp of the discovery of magic by humans.
The acknowledgment of the futility of hiding something so widespread and impactful is refreshing.

Very, very few books actually manage to pull off the hidden magical society thing in an even slightly believable way.

The way the MC gets roped into the book plot in this one is more than a bit contrived and I am quite annoyed that this sect of insane/stupid people is still a major plot point. I kind of hoped there would just be a small side plot rooting them out for good.
I don't think they make for a good adversary. I never found religious fanatics without much brain appealing as the bad guys.

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