This is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.  I love this genre, it hits all my sweet spots.  Magic, intrigue, romance (at least the beginnings) and the supernatural.  I was impressed that the romance took a back seat to the action, but I expect things to heat up between Simon and Kate in the future. Hint, hint.  There are also some other potential pairings I wouldn't be unhappy to see.  As for the magic and supernatural, the only complaint I have is the lack of background.  Scribes are a dying breed, many think already extinct. Why?  There doesn't seem to be a lack in other aspects of magic, so why the decline in scribes?  I anticipate answers to my lingering questions in the next two books. Which I will start tomorrow.  Or maybe tonight.  Or maybe on my lunch break...