Oh, how dark! How feminist!
Not really.

This story was dark in all the predictable ways and feminist in a very typical way. Although I did love that Isabelle was obsessed with history and wars and generals, I didn't truly feel that she was making the decisions on her own, rather that Fate and Chance were trying to do things for her. In the end, she did start to make her own path, however, most of the story was bland, dull, and overdone. I loved the Waterfire Saga by Jennifer Donnely, but I read that series a few years ago when I was a lot younger. Perhaps her writing style isn't for me anymore.
Another thing: the writing was pretty much for the younger side of YA, however, the content was pretty dark for younger readers--which created a discontinuity. And worldbuilding? We don't know her.
Anyway, not my cup of tea. You may love it, but I didn't think the story, characters, or worldbuilding was well-crafted.

omg it was so beautiful i crieddd

ok so the pacing was really slow and then everything blew up...

This book was fricking amazing. I have not been this terrified and awestruck by a book in a long, long time (I think that the last time it was Muse of Nightmares). The characterization and worldbuilding were so detailed, and some scenes were so perfectly described, I felt myself there. I saw what Rin saw. I tasted what she tasted. I heard the suffocating silence around her.
I just--I can't believe this was a debut novel. I'm utterly stunned.