A different take on the fantasy/romantasy genre, this book is comfortingly familiar and yet refreshingly original. Elspeth was infected with old magic as a child; something which, if caught by the King's Physicians, will likely result in her death. She has kept her ability secret from everyone, but the voice in her head is getting stronger. And when she's ambushed in the woods by highwaymen on the search for Providence Cards, the acceptable source of magic, it starts her on a path towards love, treason, and perhaps even death...

My first impression is that this is a book that should be devoured in one sitting. I got off to a bit of a slow start (busy week!), and read the first dozen chapters in fits and starts. This feels like it detracted from my enjoyment of the book, as it disrupted the flow and meant I didn't settle into the story until much later than I otherwise would have. The writing style is such that you are dropped into the middle of the world and left to discover things as you go, so I was really only able to immerse myself on my longer reading run.

The worldbuilding is something of a game of two halves; the magic system is an incredible piece of imagination and is really well layered into the book. The Providence Cards do take a moment to digest, and there are moments of exposition which possibly could have been smoothed out slightly better to explain them, but ultimately the plot hinges on them and it really, really works. I was actually really surprised by this, as I couldn't quite imagine it going in. The background of the mist and 'old' magic is beautifully woven and the effect this has in Elspeth is fantastically drawn out! However, I was less certain about the actual physical worldbuilding of place and time. It all makes sense and it visible in my minds eye, but it didn't feel as tangible or well developed. 

The story does give me something of a twisted Cinderella vibe throughout, with Elspeth being the cast-out child of the deceased first wife, looked down upon by the wicked stepmother and two (not ugly) stepsisters. But it's when she meets her handsome Captain (the Prince is otherwise engaged, and something of a brute... and not in a good way) that things really start to pick up. Again, the relationship development isn't entirely smooth - after an initial show of reluctance, there's very little resistance before they are happily getting cosy. Ryven is definitely my favourite character in the book, but the whole of the Yew family are wonderful; the author has really captured the essence of a naturally happy family, comfortable in each other's company and pulling together towards a common goal. I love Jes' attitude in particular! Conversely, Hauth is a great person to love to hate; everything he does makes him more and more unlikeable. 

But the best thing in this book is The Nightmare. I could hear his voice immediately (in my head he's played by James Earl Jones), and the cleverly layered conversations he has with Elspeth give him that dark lord energy, but with just a hint of a sense of humour and heart that make him feel just as 'real' as the rest of the characters. 

Overall, I found this a really interesting read and I'm incredibly glad that book two of the duology is already available!