This fast paced debut was super unique and I loved it. It's been awhile since I've seen such an intense corruption arc. The best way I could think to summarize this experience is when you're playing DnD and a character immediately resorts to violence instead of talking things through, and things only get worse from there. Reading this made me feel sad, disgusted, and needing to know what would happen next. I loved the romance element because

it makes sense that Emanuela would fall for someone so like herself. It was previously established that one of her former rivalries involved some feelings. Verene is motivated by the same things Emanuela is, is incredibly ambitious, and has suffered trauma under similar hands

.
I'm very excited for the sequel and hope to see Ale make a name for himself. He truly deserves better.