Although Hesina was a little annoying to me, I'm giving this book 5 stars, anyway. The plot was incredibly immersive and fun to read. The world building wasn't too much, but gave you enough to feel like you're in the palace with all the characters. I audibly gasped at certain points.

Hesina, while irrational and far too immature for the role she played here, was still a lovable lead. How this ended, I firmly believe we're getting a second book, and I can only assume in the sequel we'll get the character development for her I assumed we would get in this book.

With that said, the ending! The twists! I almost wish this wasn't a YA novel, I think we would've gotten a bit more had it been marked towards adults. Nonetheless, 5 stars. Would read again.