I thoroughly enjoyed this, such a well-rounded and complete story. I’m also impressed that the author manages to fit a whole trilogy’s worth of events, character development and world building into one, not much more than 300 page, book. The story is very loosely based off an obscure fairytale called Rappaccini’s Daughter. I also appreciated the Persian mythology that’s used to make a unique combination of a European tale and a Middle Eastern world. I loved Soraya’s story and how well written and multidimensional she was. And of course I’m always fond of some sapphic representation in fantasy. All in all, a great, unique story and a good standalone.