A princess in need of an army to regain her kingdom, and the sacrifices she must make. The story follows Askia, the heir of the Frozen Crown of Seravesh. She has escaped her city due to the fact that her cousin got her grandfather killed, stole the thrown, and is working with the man who seeks to destroy her kingdom and enslave her. She now turns to her only possible ally and must traverse the world of court politics to secure an army to go to war with her to reclaim her throne. This book is filled with court politics, and let me just say this, about 90% of the male characters are all in love with her:from her guard, to her friend to even his dad the emperor. Askia was great at first... and then page 300ish hit and she was all down for the let’s marry the emperor who has 6+ wives and is as old as her own dad and has children who are older than her. She barely likes him and suffice to say

Spoiler

I was gagging when I got to the part where she and him nearly sleep together. I understand why she thinks this is her only option but throughout the book so many other characters were telling her there were other ways to work the issue rather than selling herself and her body. I just... it just didn’t work for me. I was just so happy by the end when someone came just killed off the emperor. The world in this book is set up where women dont really have any power and that men can marry several spouses. I mean just thinking about the situation where a girl barely less than 20 is marrying a guy who had 2 kids by 22 and has a son that is 24ish, that knows her and her parents and has known her since she was a child???? ew.

. Askia is a strong character and I loved that about her, she is different and would do anything, ANYTHING (they expressly show how much she is willing to do) for her country even if it means giving up everything. I adored Illya though, let that be known. He was my absolutely favorite. The book has a lot of romance and politics and ends with a major cliffhanger. It’s an interesting read and there is a unique magic system created in this world too.