"I’m just the wind in the trees, the shadow, and the fright. The echo in the leaves… the nightmare in the night."

This is the most unique fantasy book I’ve ever read. The magic system was really interesting with the use of Providence Cards by those who are brave enough to wield them and ferry the consequences. The style this story was written was refreshing. It’s got riddles and rhymes and spooky scenery. This would be a great fall read! I imagine Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Nightmare Before Christmas vibes when someone adapts this on the screen.

The mist in the wood infects people with magic which results in their eventual deterioration and untimely death. Elspeth got infected with magic as a child and has the soul of a “monster” ( called the Nightmare) inside of her (he’s basically Tairn from Fourth Wing/ a sassy old man that talks to her in her head). She has had to live with this voice in her head and this secret for most of her life. The Nightmare is her biggest secret and bane of existence but is also her greatest ally. Elspeth trusts the Nightmare more than anyone. Until! Enter: Ravyn Yew. The more Elspeth trusts and relies on the Nightmare for help, the more his soul takes over hers...

I can’t praise this book enough. I do hope in the second book that we get more depth in the characters, especially Elspeth. I like her! But I’d like to get to know her more. I’m also really interested to see what happens with Ione.