This book lived up to the hype! The world-building, the political intrigue, the sapphic longing, the DRAGONS - it truly had everything I look for in a high fantasy. AND it's a complete, standalone book. I know this is a series, but I love that Shannon has created this series to ensure that each book can be read on its own, in any order, so that every reader will have a fully complete story in their hands every time. This did not disappoint.

I'm not sure how else to go in-depth about this book because it was just so well-done. It took me about 40% of the book to get into the rhythm and feel like I could fully keep track of the characters and politics of the world, but once I had it down, I was completely hooked. I couldn't think about another book or another story because I'd been so fully engrossed.

The last 20% of the book I spent wondering how Shannon could possibly manage to work up to a huge climax and squeeze in a satisfying resolution that didn't feel rushed, but MAN SHE DID IT.

I don't even have a favorite character because they're all so perfectly human and damaged in their own ways. Ead and Sabran, my babies. Tané and her dragon, absolutely phenomenal. Even Margret and Loth, iconic sibling duo. Everyone who survived had realistic endings, and you're left with just enough room to imagine how they went on to live the rest of their lives.

I can't recommend this book enough to lovers of high fantasy with strong, badass women protagonists, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment: A Day of Fallen Night.