Review: Impostor Syndrome by Mishell Baker

In the third book of the Nebula Award–nominated Arcadia Project series, which New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire called “exciting, inventive, and brilliantly plotted,” Millie Roper has to pull off two impossible heists—with the fate of the worlds in the balance.

Three months ago, a rift between agents in London and Los Angeles tore the Arcadia Project apart. With both fey Courts split down the middle—half supporting London, half LA—London is putting the pieces in place to quash the resistance. But due to an alarming backslide in her mental health, new LA agent Mille Roper is in no condition to fight.

When London’s opening shot is to frame Millie’s partner, Tjuan, for attempted homicide, Millie has no choice but to hide him and try to clear his name. Her investigation will take her across the pond to the heart of Arcadia at the mysterious and impenetrable White Rose palace. The key to Tjuan’s freedom—and to the success of the revolution—is locked in a vault under the fey Queen’s watchful eye. It’s up to Millie to plan and lead a heist that will shape the future of two worlds—all while pretending that she knows exactly what she’s doing…

In Impostor Syndrome, the excitement continues as a stark division is raised between both of the Fey courts as well as the London versus Los Angeles Arcadia Project offices. Millie is set to protect those she cares for, as well as the Arcadia Project as a whole, against all of the upheaval caused by the warring factions.

I continue to really enjoy this series. I love Millie and her personality. She’s not perfect, she has some extra challenges in life, and I just love her attitude and sense of humor that she exhibits whenever she has struggles. It helps to keep things from getting too grim or dark. Another thing I like seeing is that the relationships just feel real. The Arcadia Project seems to be full of slightly dysfunctional characters, and as they each face their own challenges, they don’t always get along with one another. (which is completely natural and understandable), but despite this, when it comes down to it, they do all care for each other. So while Millie and her partner Tjuan may not always seem to mesh well personality wise, they have each others backs completely.

So when Tjuan has been framed for murder, Millie feels a personal drive to to figure out not just how he was framed, but also by who. And then do whatever she can to help save him. The book has some serious heist action, drama and action. And for fans of the magical side of the story, you have more to look forward as well since this book revealed even more of the fey world and all of that magic it brings to the series.

As much as I still enjoyed this, I have to admit, it was not my favorite of the books in this series and I think it is because Millie struggled a bit more in terms of her mental illness. One thing I commented on with both the other books in the series is that her disabilities were not what the books were about, just additional obstacles for her to overcome and handle every day. They are a part of her and therefor a part of the story, but they were never the actual story. With this one, they are still not the story, however, since Millie struggles more, they do get more focus and the become a larger part of the book.  Or at least if felt that way to me and the book seemed to be approaching the tipping point at times for me.

Overall, this is another fun and exciting installment in the series and offers up a very unique and diverse cast that gives readers something entirely unlike any other series I’ve read. Obviously I still highly recommend the series.