That was not at all what I was expecting. Of course, being late to the party, I had read plenty of reviews and heard many ways in which I might like or dislike this book. I decided to go in with a blank slate, ignoring everything I'd read/heard. I was drawn in from the start by the very Beauty and Beast-ness of it all. The world building was captivating, I'm obsessed.

As I'd hoped, the fantasy was high and the romance was kept to a minimum. I barely rolled my eyes, hahaha. There were a few words used to describe Tamlin's lust that gave me the ick, but after reading Fourth Wing, this was pleasantly minimal and tasteful. I am after story, not smut, but no shade to those who live for the filth ;P While immersed in the story, I found myself so captivated by my surroundings that I could hardly predict what was to come on the next pages.

I would love to hop right into the second book, but with thousands of pages to go before the end of the saga, I fear series-fatigue will get the best of me and so, a palette cleanser will have to do!