The first thing I noticed that threw me out of this story was that the language used in it was all extremely modern. I got used to it eventually, but when you commit to a historical setting, it seems like you should commit to it fully? The one foot in, one foot out thing was really jarring.

I know some people say that it felt like two separate stories, which it didn't feel like to me--it flowed from the school setting to the war setting fine, in my opinion. I just didn't find a lot of the school setting to be very engaging. The beginning of the book I found interesting, but then once the school section started, I got bored and then like 70% through it picks up again.

I took more issue with some of the characterization transitions. Yes, Rin was a little infatuated with Altan at school, but she hardly interacted with him so it was really in passing, so the way it was treated like love at first sight once she meets up with him again felt weird as hell. Then there was the weird flip-flop with Nezha who suddenly became her best friend during the war. A lot of the characters were poorly represented in general, because I can barely remember their names or what purpose they served in the story at all.

Rin's arc is also kinda confusing. First she is in it for the power. She wants to be strong and to kick other people's asses. Then suddenly she magnanimous and wants to save the world. Then she's selfish again and just wants to be stronger than Altan. Then it's back to being the world-saver. A lot of flim-flamery goes on around her that makes her annoying and she feels like a Mary Sue a good portion of the time.

Kinda on the fence about reading more or not. Will have to think on it.