I go back and forth on how to feel about this book. I think 3.5 is a safe rating for me. I enjoyed it, but wasn't obsessed. And there are some weak points for sure.

Kiara is a really strong female lead, but her defiance can get annoying. Like refusing to listen to anyone else because what she thinks is always right... is just not a good look.
Jude was a great male lead, seeing the internal struggle with what is right vs what he feels and wants.

The plot was interesting, with Kiara going to train surrounded by men and being the best recruit, hand selected by the Commander. Then they go on a suicide mission into the Mist, the cursed lands surrounding the regular cities. Kiara and her found family of recruit-brothers under Jude's leadership. And of course they will face mysterious and suspenseful dangers and very weird and creepy enemies.

By the end, the resolution for book 1 felt... confusing at times? Like I couldn't quite see how and why things unfolded the way they did. I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the extremity of the main villain's actions. The final quarter of the book kind of lost me - the back to back action and fight scenes were a lot, and then the discovery of the light and dark powers just made things... chaotic?

But overall, I did still enjoy this book a lot and look forward to reading the next one to hopefully understand more of the world building, which was lacking a bit in this one. And the way book 1 leaves off... book 2 is going to pack a punch.