2.5

I thought this book was about vampires (which it kind of was just not the classic kind) and it ended up being about the most sinister situationship ever.

The concept and premise was very intriguing but I found the execution a little lacking; I wanted more descriptions of the setting, particularly of the grounds outside which we didn’t follow the mc go out into until the very end of the story.
But the biggest obstacle to my enjoyment of the story was the main character’s questionable decisions.

I think a lot of the plot relied on the main character making the most outlandish choices. I understand that she was vulnerable and the ad deliberately sought out girls like her to exploit. But we were told she was an expert thief and so I expected her to have some street smarts about her.

Instead, upon finding out what Lisvet truly is, she proceeds to involve Iver in their escape plan, since the enemy of an enemy is useful. But she does so relying on only the words Lisvet gave to her about Iver disliking her and wanting to claim the House of Hunger. Beyond Lisvet’s words, how can we ascertain that Iver is even a relative of Lisvet’s? This is where interactions with the nobles and doing some sleuthing could have come in.

Instead she goes straight to Iver and it’s clear as day he is not ‘a man of his word’ but the main character seems to believe him to be so. If he clearly did not care or show any empathy to the fate of the bloodmaids when she told him what happens to them, why would you think he would in good faith help you procure tickets. If you know he had no meals the first thing you should be wary of is that 1) he might not even be Lisvet’s cousin and will snitch 2) if he is her cousin he might use the info you’ve given him to blackmail her into marriage in which case he’s snitching again. And when he doesn’t give you your money you’ve won in the game and delays it that’s the final warning bell.

And then when running away from Lisvet with a crossbow, and upon finding out that Thiago knew of the whole sinister scheme, the main character threatens him with a bad review/expose in the gazette and not with the cleaver in her hands???!!
It was beyond ridiculous that I chuckled

And then bending down and getting close to hear the words of your tormentor when you should be running AWAY when you are on 2 working red blood cells and a dream is beyond insannnee.

However for all my grievances I really did like the way the book ended with them boarding the night train, the way it ended was simple but the atmosphere of the book struck me at that ending.

I did enjoy it but I also sort of hate enjoyed it.
The main character drove me up the wall but I was rooting for her all the same.
And I kind of would like to see this adapted.