I received a free digital copy of this book from the author/publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest view.

Sallot Leon is a street rat and has had to fight and thieve for survival since their entire nation was killed in war less than a decade ago. When Sal robs a highborn lady, they finds out that the Queen is looking for a new Opal - an assassin - and so Sal sets off for auditions. Now Sal has to learn to fight with swords as well as knives, and aim arrows as well as punches. But the stakes are high and Sal might not have what it takes to be Opal.

I knew very little about this book going into it other than it was a YA fantasy with a gender fluid protagonist so I'm so happy it ended up being a great high stakes adventure that had me gripped throughout, I did initially have a little trouble getting into it but I think it's just more my mood that day because once I settled down an gave it a chance I was hooked.

This does have a bit of Hunger Games feel to it due to the high stakes and death at any moment feeling while the fantasy world/being based around a castle felt slightly like Throne of Glass but I think because of Sal's own personal goals and voice, it felt original.

I loved how accepting everyone was of Sal's gender fluidity. There were no arguments about it or raised eyebrows. Once Sal explained what it was like for them, and the pronounce for specific clothing choices everyone understood and got on with it and it was genuinely just lovely to see. I do think Sal and Elise felt a little bit insta-love but again I liked Elise's acceptance of Sal and her feelings towards them.

Sal did annoy me in some parts with their decisions - like choosing to murder Seve before they became Opal. I just thought that was a bit of an idiotic decision. I do think some things came easier to Sal than I was expecting considering they had no formal training and really only knew how to street fight.

The end as well felt slightly drawn out. I kept waiting for something big to happen, and waiting, and waiting, and then it eventually did but at that stage I was more than ready for the book to wrap up.

I will definitely be reading the next one though as I really enjoyed this and can't wait to more of Sal's adventures.

I also wonder if tehy will make Two the new Ruby?I quite liked Two from the few glimpses we had of her.