after so much hype I couldn't wait to get started on this book. 

I did struggle to follow the plot and the characters for the first hundred pages or so but I fully think that's because I had a headache and shouldn't have been trying to explore a brand new fantasy world at that time, and when I read more of the book sans-headache I enjoyed it a lot more (TLDR, don't read with a headache which is obvious anyway). 

Love the concept of gods existing and being tied to their shrines, I think it's so unique and different but also so simple and elegant. I loved watching the relationships between Kissen develop differently with everyone - a motherly protection of Inara, a reluctant fondness with Skedi and what I really think will be a wholesome romance with Elogast in books to come. 

When I tell you I gasped when I realised how subtly Kaner had written Skedi's slow increasing control over Inara until he was fully in charge of her entire being. I was shook. It was so beautifully written that I felt as betrayed as Inara's internal monologue, and I was so glad/proud when she managed to break his will and free herself (which is something I can't wait to be explored more in later books!)

I also didn't see the end coming at all and I was totally taken by surprise with Arren working with the two goddesses. Couldn't turn the pages fast enough at the end, and I suspected it won't be a standalone (mainly because Goodreads lists it as #1 in the series) but seeing there were 5 pages left and nothing resolved definitely confirmed that.

One of the best debuts I've read in a long time!