Simple Joy

I really enjoyed this book.

Unfortunately for me, and I hate when I do this, I read some reviews before diving into the book. Although it did lower my level of expectations for the book, I think it deserved more credit than some people gave it.

Okay so...

I liked our character, Yelena, still, but not as much in the first book. I liked her then because she didn't complain, this was her lot and she had shit luck but she was happy to be alive.
In this book, she's willful, making stupid choices without thinking about dangers she put others in because of this, and yes she did complain about her lot in this book. Bummer, must be the whole love thing.
I liked to imagine her family, especially her mother.
I had read some reviewers comments about the brother, and not fully explaining, I have to say I absolutely disagree.

I liked the setting, I liked the ending even though you know it's set up for failure.

OH! and one more thing. This whole magician school, EXTREMELY similar to Harry Potter.