It was a light and interesting read, I liked the romantic scenes, but I felt like it was too insta-love. The world-building intrigued me and I liked the style of writing, so I'd read this series.

*I received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

This was a quick, but captivating read. The world felt so realistic - as though a movie was playing out around me. Nitya, the main character, was a merchant's daughter who got an opportunity to go work a temporary position at the palace. This particular installment may only have been about thirty-five pages, but by the time I was finished, I felt as though I'd read an entire novel. I look forward to reading more from this series in the near future.

Wow! I picked this up thinking not much of it but now I’m curious to reading the series!
With a poignant first chapter K.T. Munson manages to grasp your attention and in just a few pages I was hooked!
We get to know about her family, her best friend, her eagerness to work for the palace.. And more follow that will make you not want to put it down.
Can’t wait to read how the romance unfolds, why the assassination took place and the overall further world building.

Thank you Netgalley for this prequel in exchange for an honest review.

This book, rather a novella, is a marvelous introduction to Munson’s fantasy world – Zendar. It instantly pulls you in and compels you to turn the pages. It follows the life of Nitya, who is young, naive, and bored with her everyday life. She craves excitement and adventure until one day she suddenly gets the opportunity to work as a maid in the royal palace. For someone, who spent her life selling pottery, this was as interesting as her life could get.
The story takes an unusual turn when she encounters the mysterious and handsome Sergeant Ramas, who makes her feel giddy and gives her butterflies, and who in turn pursues her. But what happens when innocent Nitya is suddenly caught up in political powerplay and the murder of a royal official, in the midst of a world where people are still at war with each other. With no one to support a commoner maid, who has nothing but her truth and talent for art, Nitya is thrown into a cell and is now being investigated by the very Sergeant Ramas, who has no reason to help her EXCEPT matters of the heart.

In less than fifty pages, K.T. Munson does a great job of developing the chemistry between characters, building the atmosphere, and above all delivering a heart-warming love story.

The only reason I did not give this story a five star is that something felt missing. It would have been great if only there was more details of the world, the political powers in play. The world-building was there, but not enough. It read more like a historical fiction rather than a fantasy book.

I would suggest this book to everyone who enjoys reading fantasy, romance, and historical fiction, and to everyone who is looking for a really short and entertaining read.