This has been a hugely anticipated book for me and I screamed when I got approved for it on here

I absolutely loved the magic system and worldbuilding in this however will admit I was semi-confused for the first few chapters.
There was a lot of social commentary throughout this, which was expertly done. It didn't feel in your face at all.
This was a slowwww burn and I am here for it. The romance takes a backseat on this, so prefer for it to be more plot driven - which is the best kind of fantasy book, lets be real. There's so much political intrigue, and
the plot in general was just expertly done. Consider this an adult version of The Cruel Prince... But in Rome... And with spice... haha

The feminine rageeeeeeee. That is all.

This is an amazing debut novel, and I can't wait to see what comes next from Shalini Abeysekara

This slow burn, political fantasy which starts with the death of the main character and then has the main character explore how and more importantly, WHY she died, was incredible. It was an intriguing premise and a seriously impressive execution. I think that more than anything, the world building in this story was what astounded me the most. It was wonderfully intricate and really engaging. The story itself was also incredible with how the plot unravelled, I was completely enraptured throughout. Unfortunately, I was not a huge fan of the romance element of this but it was a gateway for the main character, Sarai, to embrace her darker emotions, which I enjoyed immensely.

4.5 ⭐️ Lawyers set in Ancient Rome with magical powers? Sign me up. I really enjoyed this book. I found it hard to put down at times. The FMC is empowering and relatable, she's wracked with rage and pain over what happened to her years previous to this story - it was easy to root for her revenge. The slow burn romance was amazing and was the secondary focus to the plot. Will definitely be on one of my top reads of the year.

I am having a hard time writing this review because I enjoyed this book, and there are a lot of good things in there (the worldbuilding is fascinating, the characters are all well developed and some of them are also quite intriguing and the plot is captivating. We also have magic and some fascinating places to visit and a social commentary to it all, too) but it was also an extremely frustrating read, mainly because I had so many problems with the MC. Mind me, I liked her and it’s not that what she does or thinks doesn’t make sense, but it was a really frustrating experience. So I don’t really know where to start, but I’ll try to follow a semblance of order!

First thing first, the Ancient Rome inspiration. It’s one of the main selling points of the book, and it has a strong appeal, that’s for sure. To be honest, I was expecting something slightly more here. We have the influx, especially in the political structure and in the words that relate to that, and it is pretty good but… the author could have been a bit more heavy-handed with that and still do a good job. But maybe this is just me.
Anyway, the world-building is quite fascinating, and at the center of it we have the political situation and the political structure of this world, and it is so on point with today’s world too. (And this is quite sad, to be honest, but it is by no means the book’s fault.)
But, aside from the social and political commentary, the politics here are intriguing and they are really well-developed too. It is a tad predictable but this doesn’t take away a single thing from this book. It is immersive and it is intriguing, and it is also pretty hard to put down.

Another thing I strongly appreciate here is the slow burn. It’s really slow and I loved it! Even if I had problems with Sarai. She is a strong main character, and I admired her strength and her willpower. She is death-set to make herself justice (and others too), and she is resourceful and smart. But… but there were so many times I wanted to scream at her because she is quite clever so if only she thought things through everything would have gone smoother (I am not saying that everything would have been better and things would have been easier, but smoother yes!). I lost count of how many times I was there thinking “Just think, FFS!!”. So yeah, even if she is quite good as an MC, I found her mostly frustrating.
Kadra, on the other hand, was everything the synopsis promised us and more. He is 100% swoon-worthy (if moody, broody, and bloodthirsty are your things, that’s it). Anyway, with him I was on board since the beginning. And I can go on fangirling for quite a bit. He is just soooo good!

Kadra was the best, and that’s it. But the secondary characters are all well-developed. To be honest, most of them were despicable, and I wanted so many of them gone so bad!! But not a single of them felt plain or bi-dimensional. And, obviously, not all the secondary characters were bad people! Anek was the most intriguing, and I really hope to get more of them in the next book (ah, yes, I almost forgot but I thought this was a standalone but… nope, it’s the first in a series!) because, as I said, they were intriguing (and they have a ton of unexpressed potential!). And then we have Cato and Gaius. I have yet to make up my mind on Cato, but I mostly liked him and I think there is more to him, too. While Gaius was just nice to have around.

This book was really hard to put down (frustration aside, because I was tempted to throw the Kindle away a couple of times!) and it is a great debut, that I can say for sure. Also, Kadra is a good reason on his own to read the book. But with him, you will get a fascinating world and a ton of politics and intrigues (and bloodbaths!), too!

I think I need to give this another go but with an audiobook.
There were points in this that grabbed my attention. But most of the time I just wasn't invested enough.
I felt detached at times.
But there's potential here. Which is why I'm willing to give it a second chance in audiobook format.

This book has easily become one of my new favorites, possibly even my top read of the year so far. I originally picked it up because it was a FairyLoot pick, and sometimes I like to read the books before deciding whether to renew or skip. THANK GOD I DID. Could you imagine my life if I had just skipped it? Miserable.

From the very first pages, I was completely drawn in by the world building and the magic system. It’s intricate, fascinating, and at times a bit overwhelming (it took me half the book to realize that havïd means f*ck, but that’s because I’m dumb lol). But what truly made this book stand out for me were the characters. I know some people might be put off by the fact that Sarai is only 18, but I SWEAR she doesn’t read like a typical YA protagonist. She’s not some naïve, whiny teenager, she’s been through hell, and it shows. She’s strong, determined, and absolutely badass, but at the same time, she’s broken in a way that makes her journey all the more compelling. Watching her seek revenge and fight for herself and *cough* others *cough* was incredible.

And then there’s Kadra. THAT MAN, GOD. He’s the kind of character who commands every scene he’s in, he’s powerful, ruthless when he needs to be, but there’s so much more beneath the surface (he's so FUNNY!!!!!!). The tension between him and Sarai? Perfection. Every interaction, every charged moment had me completely hooked. I loved their relationship. And, since we’ve established that I’m dumb and never see things coming, I literally gasped at the ribbon thing (iykyk).

This book made me want to never put it down. I had to force myself to sleep, and it was horrible lol It’s dark, gripping, and completely unputdownable.

If you’re on the fence about picking it up, let this be your sign: read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodderscape for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This monster of mine

Thank you NetGalley and Hodderscape for the arc!!

This story has a great and probably the craziest unhinged premise (with equally unhinged trigger warnings so please read those before you read it) and I was hooked from the prologue! One thing about me, I love a great who done it mystery story in any given context and genre, and I probably would have loved it more had I not predicted the whole thing 15% into the story. It’s why I probably didn’t love this as much as I hoped which I blame myself for but I couldn’t ignore the obvious signs (or have I watched too many cop dramas to find most things predictable? Probably?).

While the plot was okay given its predictability, I wish the author would have expanded more on the world building and given us more insight on the justice system and the people that uphold the system this story so heavily relies on. I wish we would have gotten more backstory and layers to why characters acted the way they do. The magic system as well, it seems so cut and dry and given this is a romantasy, I understand wholeheartedly why it was written the way it was but even then, the connection she so greatly wanted to weave between our fmc and mmc didn’t really convince me. However, I did appreciate the slow burn. I just needed MORE. There was no tension given that (spoiler) the mmc presumably threw her off the tower. I needed to see that connection from hate, to understanding that this man isn’t as terrible as he seems (which we got but it seemed so brushed over to me), that she had gotten it wrong and might now have done it and that bridge between he might not be so bad to she like him to she might possible love him (because that love bomb at the end there really threw me for a loop). (End of spoiler)

However much I didn’t love this, I will say that it will appeal to a lot of people because the level of unhinged and disrespect I witnessed in this book fully made me want to jump into it and throw hands. Romantasy lovers (not that I’m not, but I am a full fantasy romance subplot lover) you will enjoy this one. Just, again, look at your trigger warnings cause this book is insane!!

3.75⭐️’s

Incredible start to a dark, gory and intense duology that doesn’t shy away from the violence, corruption and wrath that comes with justice. Abeysekara has done something utterly different while still managing to maintain a world of familiarity through references to Roman mythology, instances of Latin and frustrations with a system doomed to see your downfall.

Sarai was such a compelling lead, with strong convictions and a sense of justice you can’t help but root for. I felt so deeply for her. I experienced her frustrations firsthand. I wanted her vengeance as much as she burned for it. Her enemies are now my enemies. I’m obsessed with her. Kadra, I get it.

I liked the slowness of the romance in this as well, how it only comes to a culmination near the end. And the end itself!!! I’m going to go crazy waiting for the next book!!!! What am I gonna do until summer 2026?!?!?!?!?

This book was an absolute masterpiece and exactly what I’ve been searching for! Set against the backdrop of Ancient Rome, it weaves together political intrigue, romance, and a gripping plot that never lets up. The justice system, in particular, was brilliantly crafted and utterly fascinating.

The story centers around Sarai, a woman with magical powers, including the rare ability to sense lies. Four years ago, she was nearly killed in a violent and mysterious attack that left her with permanent scars and fragmented memories. Determined to uncover the truth about what happened to her, Sarai returns to the city as a Petitor, a prosecutor serving under the Tetrarchs (judges).

Over the past few years, a strange and terrifying trend has emerged: Petitor candidates have been dying at alarming rates, with entire graduating classes either taking their own lives or fleeing the city. Sarai refuses to become another statistic, but as she delves deeper into the mystery, she begins to wonder if these deaths are truly suicides.

Sarai’s investigation leads her to Tetrarch Kadra, a man known for his cruelty. She’s drawn to him for reasons she can’t fully understand, especially since all the evidence seems to point to him as the one who attacked her. The dead Petitors were seen in his presence before their deaths, and now, Sarai must work alongside him. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and every interaction between them crackles with tension. Despite her suspicions, Sarai finds herself captivated by Kadra, and their dynamic is nothing short of electric. He’s the kind of complex, intriguing male character I adore, and their romance is one of the highlights of the book.

The way this book blends mystery, magic, and romance is truly exceptional, and I couldn’t put it down!

If I could give this book 6 stars, I would! And you’re telling me it’s a debut??

This Monster of Mine has everything you could ever want in a dark romantasy: a story that feels fresh, an interesting magical system, an ancient-Rome inspired world based on the judicial system, mysteries and secrets, characters you love and characters you hate with a passion, a slow burn with just the right amount of spice, and so many quotes to save and reread.

Both leads are morally grey and it’s impossible not to love them. Sarai is such a strong character, always true to herself, with her weaknesses and strengths. Kadra is equally flawed, and it was great to see their relationship blossom: it added depth and raised the stakes of the story, without being overwhelming. The secondary characters are varied, there’s plenty of representation and it’s always done in a way that feels effortless.

The pacing of the book was also well executed, there are faster paced moments and slower ones, but the emotional impact of the story is always high and it makes the book impossible to put down. The author does a great job of evoking the character’s emotions, and it makes the book so much more impactful! I also love that it stands as a standalone, but I’m already craving more and hoping we can revisit this world and these characters.
OMW to get my grabby little hands on a physical copy of this book as soon as possible!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for an arc of this book.

Wow, what a pleasant surprise. A dark, twist sort of pleasant, but pretty great, nonetheless!

I feel like calling this a romantasy is misleading, because while Sarai and Kadra's romance is important to the story, the mystery regarding Sarai's attempted murder and the conspiracy about the dead Petitors takes up much of the focus. A fact I will not complain about at all, for it went so much harder than I expected. It tackles abuse of power, particularly from the wealthy, discrimination, prejudice, misogyny, the true meaning of justice, I was thoroughly surprised how in depth these themes were debated and examined.

The dynamic between our main duo was interesting, too. Kadra is obviously a messed up dude, but he also heavily respects Sarai and challenges her worldview repeatedly. His methods in doing so are questionable, especially because his tactics are to manipulate and withhold a lot of crucial info from her, but he does develop out of that after Sarai calls him out on it. Sarai herself does match his freak in being equally, if not more, messed up. Between the multiple angles of discrimination she faces and the debilitating trauma she experiences from her fall, the girl goes through a <i>lot</i>. Her choices are never perfect, obviously, but they're perfectly in line for her character. It certainly doesn't hinder her intellect or justice sensitivity, especially when it comes to solving her own mystery. These two made a wonderful dynamic as they bounced on/off each other. The guy literally murders for her and she's still down to makeout with him. Honestly? Good for her.

The only element I found lacking was the worldbuilding. I understood it's based off ancient Rome, but the constant use of Latin threw me. There was this one 'H' swear they kept on using, and I had no idea what it meant. There are multiple gods who people worship, but there's also the indication there are saints due to a nickname a side character gets. I also didn't wrap my head around the physical realm of the world besides the whole northern vs. southern bit. Maybe I would understand it better if I ever reread this in the future.

All in all, this was a solid debut from Abeysekara. I kind of hope whatever she publishes next will take place in this world again. Not only for worldbuilding purposes, but I do see a lot of potential in further exploration. I definitely will be keeping an eye out!

IThere was an Initial lore dump with names of things, people and places threw me a bit at the start but past 15% it eases up and the story really takes over.

The narration feels mature and there is a breadth of vocabulary used. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't sure where we were or what the characters looked like because the focus was on the story rather than the context.

I hate the girl who is supposed to be her closest friend and disliked her from the start. I hated most of the side characters actually, which is evidence of good writing.

40% in and was just desperate for more tension and interactions between the two main characters, they've barely said a few words to one another.

I knew who pushed her from chapter 2, I thought it was obvious but it dragged out that reveal until 65% in which confused me. I'm still not clear on the why of it all tbh

I was also hoping to see more of the magic system, especially when people have access to powerful magic, we only saw the FMC use bits of hers

I generally enjoyed the story, and corrupt people in power feels very on brand at the moment, I'm excited to see where this author goes next.

FMC: 18
MMC: Not alluded to

I inhaled this book and had such a fun time, feeling very grateful to be getting approved for NetGalley books that I had already added to my TBR!
The only thing I knew going into this was 'enemies-to-lovers ancient Rome inspired'. I was curious to see how the ancient Rome setting would play out, but actually it ended up influencing more of the legal/political set up of the story than the day-to-day of the characters. I also saw the expression 'spicy romantasy' floating around: personally I would call this a Fantasy Romance, and there is a one page spicy scene - nothing too scandalous imo.
The build up of the plot throughout this novel was delicious truly. The hook on the first page was STRONG and the twist part way through had my jaw on the floor - I hadn't even slightly guessed at what the reveal was going to be.
I noticed that the author used to work in the law field and this really comes through in the book's showdown. Despite violence playing a large role in this book, some of the major conflicts here are fought with words and politics and the wording of the law which I loved.
If I was still regularly rating books I think this would be a 4.5 for me, because I was all-in and captivated but then at the last second a little disappointed with the set up for book 2 (which I am already determined to get an ARC for when it comes out next ye

I am genuinely just struck in complete awe because that was beyond beautifully written?! I adore the main character Sarai and her relationship with Kadra was developed so well! The ending was also very satisfactory and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Read this if you like:
-Enemies to lovers romance
-Slowwww burn !!!
-Ancient Rome setting
-Exploring corrupted justice system
-Morally grey MMC
-FMC you will so cheer for and want to give a hug!!

Thank you Hodderscape for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Well this was a surprised for me, I didn't heard of it until recently but I'm glad I got the Arc!

I really enjoyed this one. The political intrigue, the betrayal, the romance... all so well done it kept me hoocked the entire time. The magic system was chef's kiss.

Really love the main characters. The tension between them was to die for... and I enjoyed to get to know them better as the story progressed and understanding why they did the things they did... specially our MMC.

And to think this is a debut. I'm in awe and I can't wait to read more books of this Author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Eighteen-year-old Sarai doesn't know why someone tried to kill her four years ago, but she does know that her case was closed without justice. Hellbent on vengeance, she returns to the scene of the crime as a Petitor, a prosecutor who can magically detect lies, and is assigned to work with Tetrarch Kadra. Ice-cold and perennially sadistic, Kadra is the most vicious of the four judges who rule the land - and the prime suspect in a string of deaths identical to Sarai's attempted murder. Certain of his guilt, Sarai begins a double life: solving cases with Kadra by day and plotting his ruin by night. But Kadra is charming and there's something alluring about the wrath he wields against the city's corruption. So when the evidence she finds embroils her in a deadly political battle, Sarai must also fight against her attraction to Kadra - because despite his growing hold on her heart, his voice matches the only memory she has of her assailant...

Sarai is someone who is fixated on finding out what happened to her, and meting out justice for the torture that she was put through. I really liked her character. Despite the stress of her new job and the responsibilities she bears, Sarai remains humble and kind. She has some darker tendencies that emerge deeper into the book but it really worked for her character and also helped to explain some of her motivations. She still gives people the benefit of the doubt, wanting to see the best in them and give them a chance but when she is cast aside, ignored or disrespected… Ooooo, I love Sarai in those moments!
Kadra is an enigma for the majority of the book, to be perfectly honest. I found myself frustrated at times because I just wanted to delve into his head and get to know him. But the wait was definitely worth it. The air of mystery that surrounds him really helps spur the book on - as does his wicked deeds which clash with his devoted actions for his people!

When I saw this book available to request, the blurb intrigued me big time. Romantasy with deception, mystery and violence? Sign me up! The plot was pretty good and it had a decent flow. There was a lot of world building in this story. To the point I will admit that it felt a little much at times. My brain was struggling to keep up with everything, all the information that had been thrown my way. As the book progressed, I found that not analysing it as much helped maintain my engagement and keep my enjoyment up. I love knowing about a world but when it becomes confusing, my attention can start to drift. There is a very large cast of characters here - understandable since it’s such a complex world. However, I believe they were all very well written. I liked that they were not always as they seemed, that there was plenty of depth to each person. I also loved that we just casually had non-binary characters too! It’s such a pleasure to see such characters and not have a big song and dance about it! Romance wise, it wasn’t a big focus in the story which worked perfectly for me. Now, I adore a romance but it just would not have felt right for this book if it was in the forefront. But the little fluffy hints we got were so nice! It helped show further humanity in characters that were touched by darkness which is always amazing to see. The ending was a brilliant conclusion for the events of this story. It was full of violence, of mystery and a good few shocks. I love that the final chapter has left it open enough that more books in this world are possible but it also wraps up everything neatly.

Overall, This Monster of Mine is a great romantasy book with Ancient Rome vibes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you again to Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of this book. Review will be live on my blog on release day and is available now on Goodreads.

I’ve heard only good things about this book and I’m so happy that it matched my expectations! I found the magic system really compelling and original. And the characters? i don’t know who I loved more! They were so well done and the banter and tension were everything!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher Hodderscape for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

Release Date: April 3rd 2025 (UK)/ April 1st 2025 (US)

TW: alcoholism, severe injury, PTSD, immolation, execution, violence, abuse, depression, panic attacks

Four years ago Sarai was thrown from a tower, being left with horrific scarring and little memory of the event. Her case was thrown out without explanation but Sarai wants vengeance for what happened to her. Now eighteen, Sarai returns to the scene of the crime as a Petitor, a prosecutor who can magically detect lies, and she’s assigned to work with the ice cold judge Tetrarch Kadra. Brutal and efficient, Kadra is the prime suspect in a series of deaths identical to Sarai’s attempted murder years ago, long disguised as suicides. Convinced of Kadra’s guilt, Sarai starts working with him by day while planning his ruin every night. However, it soon becomes clear that Kadra is charming and that his crusade against corruption is more and more appealing to Sarai. Finding evidence that drives her into a twisted world of politics, Sarai must begin to push back against her attraction to Kadra- especially as her memory starts to return, and with it, the sound of her pusher’s voice.

‘This Monster of Mine’ is a gorgeous dark fantasy, starting with a terrifying scene where our main character plunges from a tower. Sarai is a brilliant main character and I loved how her trauma and the anxiety that came from it was such a huge focus of this book, even as she seeks to find out what happened to her. The gradual flashbacks and the way she tries to cope were so effective in showing us how she feels. The Roman-inspired world that’s driven by justice and it’s magical system is excellently written and the pressure Sarai feels constantly is so prominent. I have to write about Kadra, and his character, because he is honestly so cold and callous and unpredictable in the early parts of this book- I could so clearly imagine all of his scenes with Sarai, with their constant pushing and challenging relationship. The tension between them is just absolutely perfect, Sarai is so frustrated by him even as she becomes more and more caught up in his ways of dealing out justice. The side characters and the world building is given to the reader gradually, just as it is to Sarai, and the magic system is incredibly original. ‘This Monster of Mine’ isn’t afraid to go to difficult places, the reality of trauma and the violence of this world (and the ways Sarai can get the truth from people) is handled so seamlessly. I adored all of this book and I can’t wait to see how the sequel might go, especially because I’m so invested in the fraught, beautiful relationship between Sarai and Kadra. This book is an incredible debut, seamlessly written and weaving together a complex, political fantasy I can’t get enough of.

Rating: 5⭐️


She watched with slitted eyes as Kadra
crossed the temple's threshold. Catching
her perusal, he raised an eyebrow. "They
say evil can't pass the High Elsar's doors.”
She shrugged. "I was expecting you to burst
into flames." "Expecting?" He gave her a
dark smile. "Or hoping?"


Oh wow, this book was as amazing as it seemed from the description! I love a scarred, complex, imperfect fmc that doesn’t shy away from action when it’s needed and Sarai was all this and more, all the while maintaining her sensibility and selflessness.
This Monster of Mine is set in a Roman inspired world (with a great deal of lating words which i really appreciated), our fmc Sarai longs to solve a mystery happened four years before and seizes the opportunity to become a pretor in the capital, escaping her miserable life in the north. She’s aware that she’s entering a dangerous reality, full of conspiracies, liars and abuses but she’s also happy to be able to dispense some justice even if comes with a hefty price: working for Tetrarch Kadra, youngest ever Tetrarch to be elected and a very ambiguous man with a reputation for being cruel and merciless.

Sarai will learn to form her own opinion and judgment on things, often accepting some “morally gray” reasonings which I totally adored! She’s someone who doesn’t shy away from working hard and digging out the truth, no matter how painful it might be.
I loved following the different mysteries woven into this book (even if the descriptions were a bit gory at times😆 but it definitely fit the style of the book) and it was so satisfying to learn the truth along with Sarai🥰

As for the other characters, I really don’t want to spoil anything BUT I absolutely loved the romance! It was so natural, the mmc is just SO intense and murderous🥺 my favourite combination! His and Sarai’s chemistry together was almost palpable through the pages!

I also liked some secondary characters, even if one of them got me feeling sooo frustrated (but i guess that was the intent!)
I definitely cannot wait for book 2, i’m so excited to go back to this world!! (But please let my babies be safe, they’ve gone through so much already🥲)

Read this is you like:
🥀 morally gray mmc
📍 determined, scarred fmc
⚡️enemies to reluctant allies to lovers
🏛 ancient rome inspired worldbuilding
⚖️ a bit of politics, history, intrigues, deceits
🔮 magic


Thanks so much to Hodderscape, the author and Netgalley for an arc of this beautiful book, all opinions are my own!

I really have no idea where to start with this. I couldnt put it down, and when I did I made sure to keep reading as soon as possible!!

I love love LOVE political fantasies, and worlds with good politics and this one is near perfect. Within the first quarter Abeysekara has set up how unfair the laws are, but without simply listing them. Sarai goes through so many tests of morals (the Robing) that immediately I start thinking ‘if this is the easiest of it, how much more corrupt can it get? A lot of it reflects our world also, and I think that’s why it really shone.

All of our characters are so well written, but I wish there was more of them throughout as it felt like Harison and Anek disappeared midway through, to then appear at the end however if this is a setup for future events then it entirely makes sense. I have never found a best friend of the FMC so pettily annoying! Yet I could relate to everything she was saying, and all of the love and hatred from Sarai. When I ask for a slow burn romance, this is what I mean. They barely hold hands and can’t tolerate each other until 80%, and even then it isn’t stemming from nowhere. There’s a universe where I wish they actually stayed companions opposed to lovers, but I’m not complaining at all. You can really see how torn Kara gets in the world where he can’t be what he has to be, but doesn’t want to be what he’s not. A true grey character.

What’s interesting is that not once did I think Sarai was an unreliable narrator. She’s the main character, she has to be reliable. I assumed all my doubts and theories were wrong since they didnt align with hers, but that of course cannot be true in hindsight. There are so many hints and casual drops of who is who in her flashbacks, and who really she can trust, so for her to be wrong several times (and also perfectly right) was a massive shock to me. I was well and truly invested into her thought process and mind and emotions.

It would have been nice to know there was a glossary at the back since some of the beginning confused me, but I slowly got the idea of it through natural exposition. I truly cannot wait for the next book in this series- there’s so many doors opened and characters to explore (how is it Kadra can read minds?), and many more towns and cities to see.