I enjoyed reading this book but I do have mixed feelings about it. 

I found the writing very easy to read, and the fast pace helped to keep me interested from beginning to end (I read the book in less than two days). The worldbuilding is intriguing, but the book does basically throw the reader into the deep end, with very little in the way of explanation of the magic system or political situation, which is a little frustrating as both are key to the plot. 

My main issue is that the characters don't get enough development and I didn't feel much emotional connection to them. I do appreciate that there is a friendship between two women at the heart of the story, which I love to see, but it would mean more to me if I also cared about the two characters. 

I do have hope that all of these issues will be addressed in book 2, which I fully intend to read soon as I want to continue the story.