I received this book as an advanced reader copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

WOW! Wow, wow, wow.

That is how I felt ending this book. A surprise twist at the end that I did not expect. Actually two.

This is a new book from Rin Chupecho, possibly a series, but the author says there will be a sequel. This is good, because now I have so many unanswered questions!!!

Tea is a teenager who has magical powers. 2 of her sisters do as well, but her own powers were unknown until, in the grasps of grief over her brothers death, she accidently raises him from the dead. In the middle of his funeral!.

Luckily for Tea, Lady Mykaela, a bone witch is near by and comes to her assistance to help her recover from this instance. And then take her to learn how to become an asha.

This is the part of the book I struggled with. I took the assumption that Asha were very Geisha-esque with magical powers. It's where my mind went when trying to build a picture in my mind of the clothing (hua) and manner of entertainment. I hope this is what the author was trying to portray. If not, I am sorry for making that assumption.

Tea's story is told from two points of view in each chapter. One version is her first person account of how she first discovered her powers and coming to the Valerian to learn to be an Asha. The other point of view is from a Bard who has come upon Tea while she is in exile.

It is from these two points of view that we get a picture that something has happened to Tea to cause her to be placed in exile. The alternative would have been death. We see events that lead up to this from the stories Tea tells us of her apprentice learnings as well as her retelling to the Bard.

And to prevent leaking any spoilers, I will stop there.