A young-ish (twenty something maybe) woman with the ability to tap into a magical power just wants to keep her land and her house, but is drawn into a war when she rescues a young spy who is more than he appears to be.

Jasminda, who's father came from Lagamiri and who's mother came from Elsira, the two countries separated by a magical force that may be breached by an evil force, does not fit in anywhere. Her skin color and magical powers make her a "grol," a derogatory term for full-blooded Lagamiri, but her Elsiran blood make her also not fit in with the Lagamiri refuges trying to escape their evil over-lord. Her mother's family is trying to cut off all ties and her father and the rest of her family is dead. All Jasminda has left is her farm, but has suddenly and suspiciously been given a high tax she can only pay if she signs papers to cede all rights to her mother's name and family. Hmmmm...

Plus, her home has been invaded by a troop of soldiers who have captured a spy. A very good looking young man spy. A spy who Jasminda is drawn to help. A spy who may be oh so much more.

The book had me up until the point we found out who Jack was. Then the book took a decidedly different tone and turned into more of a romance novel, which I'm fine with, but also felt like a bit of a different read. Everything from that point felt rushed and a bit unexplained, and I wanted so much more explanation.

A different reviewer said this is supposed to be set in an "alternate 1920s" period, which I guess I understand now that I've seen it, as there are phones, "air ships," guns, and other powered, modern items, but it also didn't really feel that way while reading it.

What really worked for me was the discussion of race and racism in this fictional universe. That made it feel really like the 1920s, or at least post-American Civil War, just with different names for the North and South.

The romance was pretty swoony at times, but also infuriating. Since the characters were a bit older than teenagers, they felt a bit 'too old' to be acting some of the ways they did, but also not old enough to be acting other ways, if that makes sense? This feels more like a "New Adult" book which may be confused for YA, kind of like Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses series. (FYI there is described sex on the page a few times which I liked, but others who look at the cover and think YA may not).

I read an interview given by L. Penelope and I will definitely be reading her next work. I think this one, adapted from a previously self-published work, has great bones so I think with time and maturity her writing will only improve!

An intriguing start to what looks like a series, per the Goodreads description (but based on the reading I'd say this can also stand-alone). The world building was okay, I just wanted more.