This was such a fun addition to the Tang Dynasty series - a fast-paced, will-they-won't-they, enemies-to-lovers, high-stakes forbidden romance. I loved how the characters circle each other, constantly chasing after one another, for most of the book, and I particularly appreciated the ways their individual character arcs reflect on various interpretations of justice and the rule of law. The romance wasn't quite as compelling for me as the second book in the series, The Dragon and the Peal, which I will not shut up about. I loved our female main character here, but generally found the male main character to be a bit boring and overly starchy. This was a romp, though, and the action scenes are excellent!