The prose is generally very engaging although the book structure is a bit unusual in that the inciting incident happens in chapter 11, about halfway through this book. It sets up the character’s goal for (I’m assuming) the next several books. This book completed a story arc but the series arc continues, so I didn’t feel like the book really ended in a cliffhanger, it just completed one segment of the overarching series plot.
The story world is unique and the character is likable and clever. However there were a lot of things about the magic system that I didn’t think were adequately explained and so I only got a vague understanding of paths and the principles of magic. There is also the background of the otherworlder (who instigates the main character’s external goal) which is full of confusing names and terms that are just dropped on the reader with no explanation. It might have been intended to be mysterious and intriguing but for me it was simply confusing and frustrating.
Because of the confusing parts, I have no interest in continuing the series, even though I found this book mostly entertaining. Another reader who doesn’t mind that style of writing, with lots of unexplained names and terms, probably would enjoy this book.