I was really excited to jump into this because it’s always fun to get a science fiction novel with a new twist. The world building in this book is done very well and doesn’t give a plethora of details but gives enough for there to be a sci-fi world vibe. The most interesting relationship in the book isn’t the romantic one for me; it is the one between Maram and Amani. They both come from opposite worlds but end up building a trust and friendship. Maram is an incredibly interesting character who wears the façade of a cold and calculating ruler, when she is actually just a young woman who has not been given the luxury to trust others or build healthy relationships. Amani finally becomes the person that she is able to do that with. Maram is not evil, she is simply a player in a complicated game of political chess that must do what she can to survive, and she does it incredibly well. 

Despite the romance not being the most interesting part of the story to me, I still think it was decent. It is not my favorite romantic relationship by any means, but it holds up okay. I really enjoyed Idris individually as a character. He is yet another victim in this world of politics and I love how the author used him to represent someone who was uprooted from his family and culture at a young age to the point that he has a hard time reconnecting his native culture to who he is today. In addition to having a compelling backstory, he is also a kind person who comes off as very likeable. The ending of the story really left me wanting for more. Not a total cliffhanger, but close enough. However, I will gladly await the second book. But for now, this is what I’ve got.