If you enjoyed Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, you’ll enjoy this series. The world-building and magic system are very similar without being a carbon copy. This is definitely a darker, more mature take on that story. Tropes include: rival kingdoms, slow burn enemies to lovers, touch her and die, chosen one protagonist, mysterious ancient prophecy, he falls first, and much more.

The pacing was a bit slow at times. Some of the characters felt flat. The romance is very slow burn and can be boring. All of that said, overall, I really enjoyed this book and I am definitely planning on reading the next two in the series upon their release. This book does not read like a debut novel, and I am floored that this is the author’s first published work. The bonus chapter featured in FairyLoot’s special edition was a very nice touch and a necessary recover from that heartbreaking epilogue.