3.5

This had to potential to be a very good political fantasy. However, the entire plot is the romance. The world-building, magic systems, and political landscapes that were well-crafted and fleshed out were all done in service of the romance.

I just wanted a fantasy, you know? Not a romance playing dress-up. Maybe some other time I would have enjoyed this more. I just want a good fantasy novel with a fantasy plot. There are so many amazing elements to this book and using the tropes without making them cliches makes me sad because this could have been so much more instead of some soul twin forbidden lovers thing going on.

Romance is a crutch. There I said it. Bertin clearly has the skill but she defaulted to a standard romance.