I listened to this book instead of reading it. I had a digital galley from Netgalley that had to be read on their app. I say this because it reflects part of my review. Overall, I really did like this book. However, if you were in the office when i first started it and it dragged on FOREVER you might have thought i would say i didn’t like it. I really wished I could speed the reader up. I think that would have helped tremendously. The first half of this book (approx. 7 hours) was world set up.

Tarisai is a lonely little girl who has been kept from the world. She also has wishes that must be granted, even if those wishes are harmful to others. She is sent to the palace to become a member of the next council. She must bond with the raybearer if she hopes to become one of his 11 confidants and life protectors. They are all kids. Bonding can take years. After a fire, Tarisai loses her memories. We skip forward a few years and most everyone is teenagers and the bonds have been set. The king in waiting is learning how to rule along with his council. But here is when Tarisai’s wish takes over and life changes forever. It was up to this point that I almost DNFed this book. It got especially hairy when everyone started talking about their sex lives and looking for pregnancy. Just not something I wanted to think about as to this reader, the characters were still little kids.

However, once Tarisai’s wish is activated the story picks up, moves quickly and sucks you in. The story at times reminds me of The Black Witch, while being wholly original. I do think I would have enjoyed the book better if I had read it, or if I had the ability to speed up the reader. I think, at least for the first half, the read is way too slow. But once again, overall I liked it and can not wait for the sequel.