Jeff Hays is wonderful as always. Great production values from Soundbooth. Personally wanted more mimic, though. The idea of being able to use a relationship with a mimic to quickly gain power is a really interesting one. The main character is getting powerful. There is a theme that the doesn’t have the training to use that power, but then suddenly he does? It’s a little inconsistent. the relationships forged between the characters seemed rushed and unearned. I like the MC and his companions, but the ease with which he bests the nobles is a little eyebrow raising. I will read book 2 to see where this story goes, but I’m hoping for some stronger writing for the sequel.