I was recommended this book as I was looking for diverse fantasy stories. Unfortunately, it isn't written well at all.

The writing is so basic, with clunky worldbuilding, bizarre tense useage, and is overall uninspired. Does not read naturally at all.

I also didn't like that only 10 pages in it had already been really prejudice against the poor people in the city, for seemingly no reason. The first PoV character is advised to not go to the poor areas as he'll be robbed, and that all 'lowly' taverns are horrible, violent places. Not great.

Also, bearing in mind the author is white, I did find it a little uncomfortable that the black elves had actual black skin (described as 'obsidian'), rather than human 'black' skin i.e. brown. 

All in all, not something I want to waste my time on. So glad I didn't pay full price for my copy (£17!).