Wow... I'm thoroughly impressed. Honestly, I was expecting a bit more cookie-cutter of a story, but what I got instead was fast-paced and unique. I liked the dark feel that existed throughout most of the book. There were a few sparks of hope, of course, but not much.

I think what pleased me the most is that, even when Phoenix (our main character) meets her potential love interest, it isn't an instant omg I love you so much omg I can't bear to be separated from you ever you'll never leave me right kind of thing. It's a bit more practical. Their first physical interaction is

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brought on by alcohol and set up by two little girls.

Phoenix is rational, practical, and even when she does

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decide/realize that she might be falling for Triven, she still puts that affection on the backburner because other things are more important - including keeping Mouse and him safe.

I'm not thrilled about the cliff-hanger, but I'm about to start [b:New World: Ashes|27284375|New World Ashes (New World #2)|Jennifer Wilson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1459586808s/27284375.jpg|45777580], so I guess I can let it slide. :-D There were also some awkward dialogue spots in the book that sort of took me out of the moment, but I can't really fault the seemingly overly formal or prose-like dialogue because we already know that Phoenix is well-read (or as well read as she can be). I know that there are times I'm having a perfectly normal conversation and suddenly I start speaking like I'm in 17th century Victorian England for some reason; I attribute it to the fact that I probably read more than I converse with living humans and goodness knows that Phoenix certainly spends (spent) a whole lot less time conversing with humans that I do!

Disclaimer: I did receive this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.