I think this book was very interesting for a fantasy-romance. It had a classic feel to it that makes it a consumable but it also felt original too. 

This book follows Tisaanah, a slave girl, on her journey to freedom and freeing those she loved and left behind. In order to do so she travels to a distant land to join an scientific, magical, organization called The Orders. They are supposed to provide balance to the magic of the land, remain unbiased and unpolitical, and protect the people above all. Of course, like most organizations of such power they are not all that they seem. 

I really liked Tisaanah. She was such a cool character. She was elegant, but feral and driven and passionate at the same time. 

I actually loved Max so much. He was a breath of fresh air as a fantasy love interest. He was an enigma for sure. He was broody, but not your classic dark and broody, morally grey love interest. I’m fact, Max is awkward, prides himself on being morally superior to others, kind, compassionate. Ugh he’s just a mush honestly. He’s a broken, damaged, powerful mush! 

This is so torturously slow burn. It’s kind of a mentor, friends to lovers vibe. That I consumed and rooted for. They are so precious and perfect for each other. 

Now the second act of this plot, Tasaanah is imbibed with an ancient sentient magic that is vicious and possessive. It’s a very dark, interesting aspect of this story. It almost feels like a symbiotic yet parasitic relationship. At the very end something happens that I think changes the relationship between the two and I’m very interested in how that will be revealed in book two. 

Finally. There were many complicated relationships and characters in this book. Too many to get into individually. I will mention Nura, can’t decide whether I hate her or respect her. 

I hate Zeryth though. I hope that man dies an awful, brutal, bloody death at the hands of Max and Tasaanah. The “weapons” he’s so eager and stupid enough to think he can control. 

I will note that the magic in this world was very complicated and a bit confusing. Because of that I wouldn’t recommend for first time fantasy readers.