I’m such a sucker for a good fantasy novel and a good mystery novel. The combination of the two in this book was really well done with elements of each genre intertwined to influence the plot heavily. I’m glad that some of what was brought up is left uncovered as I’m tremendously excited for the rest of the series. Not to mention that it’s nice to get a female lead in fantasy.

Loving that the overall grand mystery of the palace crosses each book in the series while there are smaller mysteries in each. I love Josie as the narrator but honestly what I wouldn’t give to read a few specific scenes from Dane’s POV

Have I found a new favorite series? I think so. I’ve just purchased the rest after finishing this book and what can I say except. Holy shit, so that just happened. While I can’t fully say I’m surprised by Brant killing Leon, I can say I am surprised that I’m willing to forgive him for that assassination. Actually my exact words were “Go Brant!” when he stabbed Leon.

I’ve been excited to find out the truth since Book 1 and now that I’m further into the series I’m nervous to see what happens based solely on the gained information.

And lastly; fuck the Ashmole’s

This was probably the weakest in the series. If I wasn’t dead set on finishing it and finding out what happens this book might have gotten me to DNF the series. I’ve seen in other reviews critiques of how slow going the series is. Personally I never minded it until this book. While there was some progress in certain areas: Kitty faking her death, Bal finding out about his past, there just seemed to be so much lacking. It felt more like the first section of a novel rather than a novel itself.

I’m going to continue on with the series since the books are short and I’m intrigued but truly I don’t have the same excitement about continuing from this book as I did with others in the series.