this book is a fast paced introduction to a new fantasy world, with a dual pov and interesting, flawed characters. it clearly draws inspiration from folklore across Europe, there’s political intrigue and in-world myth and magic.

while i enjoyed it and found it mostly easy to read, there are some parts that feel underdeveloped or too vaguely explained, and some mistakes/plot holes in the writing that makes a couple of scenes confusing (one character being a part of a scene he isn’t in had me rereading pages with furrowed brows).

i don’t mind that we as readers aren’t given the full history of the characters’ pasts, but i would have liked to know a bit more about just how Aelia betrayed her kingdom, that got her the title of Traitor Queen, and how getting conquered affected her kingdom and its inhabitants.

the relationship between her and Amolie felt lacking, considering they’re supposed to be best friends, and Amolie in general came across as a bit flat. my hope is that the sequel will fill in some gaps on both in-world history and its characters.

there’s a blend of different folklore in the books, from the Irish Crom Cruach and The Morrígan to the Germanic Alder King. the one that stood out to me was the one instance where Hades is mentioned. while Celtic and European mythology is less understood (in part because of a lack of written sources) and therefore feels more fluid, Hades is so strongly associated with the Greek religious context, that it completely took me out of the story for a moment. it’s entirely possible that this wouldn’t bother anyone else, but i found it confusing.

i still enjoyed the book and i will most likely read the sequel. also, tharan is very relatable, as soon as he is able to have a dog, he gets two dogs.