I'm so glad I continued reading this series! What a book! 

My only gripe with it is that there were about 30 pages where Fire's feelings about Brigan were so over the place I nearly got whiplash. First she's scared of him, then thinks he's a caring person (when he pets her horse), then she's scared again (he shoves her up against a wall), then she literally almost kills herself for him, then she thinks her presence takes all the joy from him, then she "couldn't help but like him" after he does his job to try not to get her killed? This topsy turvy attitude made no sense in the context of the book, and was never really explained, it was baffling.
 
However, part from those 30 pages, I really enjoyed myself. I loved how Fire was repeatedly having to correct her own assumptions that only men can fight in armies. It showed that it's ok to make mistakes, the best thing is correct yourself and move on. 
 
I also truly think this is the first book I've read where periods are mentioned so realistically and frequently, especially in books that have blood smelling/consumption as a main topic. In no vampire book have I seen anything mentioned about periods, ever. 
 
The fantasy ideas in here are so unique, the characters are well rounded, flawed, and realistic, characters STAY DEAD, and it's intriguingly dark, emotional, funny, and tense. Tears were shed.