In a world crafted from a dark, modern fantasy genre, Bardugo’s narrative operates as a realistic-yet-magical limited third person account of a seemingly ordinary girl who is thrown into the secrets of arcane magic. The novel is set in New Haven, Connecticut, as most of the novel takes place at the prestigious campus of Yale University, where Bardugo herself received her degree in English. Along with others, Bardugo explores themes on death, privilege and power, gender inequality, drug addiction, and identity.
