I first read this book in high school. Teenage me didn’t write book reviews back then (she would have been savage so maybe it’s a good thing she didn’t) but if she had, she would have written the worlds most positive and obsessive review of this book. I made this book (and series) my whole personality.

Now, as of Jan 2024 I have read this book upwards of 6 times over the past 12 years and am finally leaving a detailed review as is my tradition. This will combine high school me obsessive screaming types of comments and also adult me more critical and analytical comments. Enjoy.

- Yelena is the fmc that, although you don’t want to experience what she went through, you want to be like her as she trains and learns to be her strongest self. Badass queen. She makes the series worth reading.
- Valek is the hot, broody assassin that teenage me was IN LOVE WITH. He has the mysterious darkness to him that makes him so intriguing, like you just want to learn more and more. Plus he is so soft for Yelena it’s adorable.
- Ari and Janco. I struggle to find words to describe the love I have for these two. In high school, I wished they were real so I could be friends with them. The protectiveness they show for each other, for Yelena (and her in return) and everyone who comes into their merry band of friends is truly so beautiful. Their banter and one-liners are so funny and just a ray of sunshine in a sometimes dark situation.
- The plot follows Yelena navigating her role as the poison taster and her eventual discovery of how magic plays a part in the main conflict. I love this trajectory and it is such a fast paced plot that you will never be bored.
- So. Many. Cliffhangers. Sometimes it feels like maybe too many but also not enough. I remember first reading this and never wanting to put it down. Now, I still struggle to put it down after some of the chapter cliffhangers.
- The timeline can sometimes be confusing in regards to how long goes between each major event. But if you think hard enough you can piece things together.
- VALEK’S CONFESSION OF LOVE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE ROMANCE LINES EVER TO EXIST. was the first I read it, still is. Thank you Maria, for gifting us this line.
- I would like a bear hug from Ari please and thank you.
- As an adult, I can see where this book feels incredibly YA. Well it is YA, and it’s from the mid 2000s when YA was truly meant for teenage/young young adult audiences. And I think it nails the intended audience. Reading as an adult, I can see why adults who prefer adult fantasy would not connect as well. But as an originally young reader, this book was my everything. And it still is.