This one was.. wow. The myriad of emotions that I went through reading this book left me reeling until today. It was written on atypical dystopian fantasy setting that also tested one's moral compass and humanity as a whole.

Set in a society where the State does not recognize the weak and rebels, imminent death is issued.

1. The writing style is not something you see an author would use. Set on a first POV, we go through the daily routines of a old little lady - what she does at home, train of thoughts on life, her companionship with her dragon and her work as a state executioner. Yes, she is this modern euthanizer

2. The first few pages might prove a struggle to some as it started a little bit slow, but it started to pick up when the FMC was tasked to execute a child who she identified as a Seer, like her. Her own dragon bonded with the child too

3. FMC, after decades of executing orders upon orders (brainwashed by the state to be manipulated as a killer machine) still had the sensibility to try and protect the child even if it meant going against the rules she strictly adhered to - moral compass test

4. Another twist, an invaders rebellion started gathering forces that included Seers / Executioners on their side to aid in overthrowing the State. While FMC, struggled seeing the agenda of the rebels, her bond to the child caused her to give up the only life that she knew

5. There's an almost philosophical take on what it means to be human, the bonds we form, the equivocation of empathy and how to treat life as a whole; that was posited creatively all throughout. The setting isn't much but the word building, just wow.