I kept getting bored with this. Especially towards the end. It's really obvious what's going to happen from a long way away.

Some of the scenes are pretty well done. Like there's a few magic related bits that come across as exciting and engaging. The rest of it, not so much though.

The main character is mopey. Always believing that X just round the corner thing will improve everything, and kinda aloof, talking like he's better than his peers. It makes him very unlikeable.

The story telling style reminds me of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, or maybe the Night Circus. Both of those were better done though, where those slowly built a world that was rich and mysterious and deep, this simply felt slow paced.

Not one I'll be following up the series of.

TL;DR: Main character kinda dick, story slow, read Night Circus/Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell instead.