Shadow is "not like other girls" (said almost word for word), Cal is supposed to be a feared assassin, and we're supposed to be on the edge of out seats.

The big twist is obvious in the prologue of the book. We're well aware of what is going on, despite Cal, the Queen's Assassin, apparently being as blind as a worm. In fact, the only thing shocking about Shadow being the princess is that she knew it. She is incredibly dull and stupid, not to mention the way it pulls together is too "perfect." Details never mentioned before are given as if they are well-known fact with her, and it cannot even be described as surprising because, while never mentioned before, the plot has been so overused that everything is visible in the first few pages.

Cal, despite being equally stupid, is less dull. If it were not for his chapters, I'd have gotten through this book much slower than I actually did, and my time with the book would likely have run out. This man at least is less of a card board cutout. Don't get me wrong, his personality is still as thin as a leaf, but that's still more depth than Shadow.

As for the plot? Best I could say is "oh no. Anyways." I literally could not being myself to care, because it was buried under Shadow and Cal's supposed love story, and there may have been a discernible plot twice.

If my review did not make sense, or is just plain dull, it is still better than the book. Trust me, and save yourself.