*round of applause*

A stunning debut from Jessica Cluess.

In the beginning, I was expecting another cliche "she's the chosen one" fantasy promising darkness but not being dark, her falling in love with more than one guy, and the bad guy being the face of pure evil.

What I got was not that at all.

(not a spoiler) Cluess begs the question that if you're not the chosen one, can you still be useful and is the chosen one really needed?
The MC Henrietta is smart and sensible with slight anger issues. She has the ability to make a decision that makes sense, which is wonderful to have in a heroine. but still gets angry and emotional like any person would.

THE DARKNESS THAT WAS PROMISED DELIVERS. Unlike recent fantasy reads I'd had high hopes for, this one actually brought it. I loved how dark it was at times and how that darkness didn't scare Henrietta. The darkness was heavy in the world building and it was so wonderful.

All of the side characters were well developed and had a reason for being. There are just so many to love. Rook. Blackwood. Hargrove. They're all just wonderful.

AND THE VILLAIN YAAAS. I loved him/them. There are 7 in all, the Ancients. 6 of them are very beast-like and animalistic. They're things of nightmares. The 7th is intelligent and human-like. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. There is nothing better than a smart bad guy.

All in all, I ended up loving this book so much more than I thought I would. I can't wait for it to be released into the world for everyone to read.