The cover of this book is stellar, it's what first drew me into this book. The plot as a clever retelling of [b:The Count of Monte Cristo|7126|The Count of Monte Cristo|Alexandre Dumas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1611834134l/7126._SY75_.jpg|391568] is what kept me reading. It's been a few years since I first read the original, so I just remember vague plot points (shame on me, I know), but this worked for me. I remember rushing through, so I'm glad this version is split into a duology. Since the plot is so complex, appropriately so, the retelling can take a lot of details and twists. However, I'll probably have to reread this before diving into the sequel.