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Read this book! Then join our support group for the ending๐
While Iโve read some amazing books this year, itโs been awhile since I have completely devoured a book in less than 24 hours. This book was one I truly could not put down. I couldnโt fall asleep because I didnโt want to stop reading what happened next.
The way this book starts is one of my absolute favorite ways to fall into a story - with no preamble and immediate conspiring amongst characters.
Brynn has quickly become one of my new favorite FMCs. She is just so REAL. No whining or blaming her situation on everyone and everything else. She accepts her role in the world, but also holds a fierce determination to know the truth of that world. She is brave, yet terrified. Strong, yet self-conscious. She is cunning and intelligent and she doesnโt shy away from what is hard or allow emotion to overcome logic. I feel like sheโs such a relatable character in everything that happens to her.
Then we have Kaiโฆour commander and son of the leader. Heโs got secrets. Big ones. And the amount of times my feelings for him flipped in this book is insane. Iโm still honestly reelingโฆ
Acker, my manโฆheโs mysterious, yet he doesnโt pull his punches. Heโs loyal to a fault. He feels things deeply and he is fervent in his beliefs and desires. I adore him and yet want to shake him for the way he goes about making decisions and only sharing half truths. And right now my heart is aching for him and also terrified of him. When I say I need book 2 like I need water, thatโs an understatement.
I donโt have space to discuss every side character, but just know that I love them deeply and they each have big personalities of their own.
The miscommunication honestly feels more like a necessity and less of a trope. The MCs donโt truly know one another, so of course thereโs hesitancy to share everything with a stranger who has been somewhat forced upon you due to the situation youโve both found yourself in. But it also is refreshing to watch them both learn to trust and communicate more and more as they go.
The world building was exciting and unique - unlike anything Iโve read before. The kingdoms and their systems and the unique magics all create this setting that is utterly perfect. I never felt confused, but could easily envision everything as it was explained in detail.
The slow burn and spice was paced so perfectly and realistically that it never felt weird or forced or annoying. It unfolds the way most normal relationships would (minus the magic and fantasy aspects). I truly cheered for our MCs and loved the way they finally came together.
This story takes all the tropes we know and love and twists them into something unique and entirely different than all the other stories weโve grown used to. And when I tell you that you will NEVER see the plot twists coming, HOLY SMOKES BATMAN!
And the last 2 chapters took me ALL THE WAY OUT. Iโm not sure how Iโm supposed to be okay after that. I almost want to go back to chapter 55 and pretend the rest didnโt happenโฆbut of course I canโt do that and now Iโll just be dying a little inside every day until I get my hands on book two!
If you enjoy fantasy or romantasy, this has to be your next read. All the rest can wait. Grab your copy YESTERDAY.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2025
