"Everyone is content not knowing a secret until they realize that there's a secret they don't know."

The way my heart fluttered and my throat trembled at this line. I know it might not seem much, but for a person who loved reading Peter Baelish and Varys in a Song of Ice and Fire, these words triggered something cold in me. The feeling that what I was reading was only the first layer in an intricate story of magic, deception, and loyalty. The question is, what loyalty comes first? Your house, your kingdom, your self , or the truth?

Ellyrian is broken up into three principalities, house of blood, gold, and war. The house of blood are descended from the old Kilethi kings and honor the teachings of the elves. They favor the code of love and forgiveness. The house of gold purchased their princedoms when Ellyrian was new and in need of gold. The house of war took the lands for their princedom, living by a code of might.

The prologue starts with Hazzar. A Edrei who is far away from home with his breatheran. Tasked to uphold the Orders code and justice. But all is not well. A decision made in the silent dark will leave Hazzar shunned and nameless but never forgotten.

The story cuts to several years later. We then begin to follow multiple students who are initiates at Eshtem, a peace college. Where perspective students are tutored and challenged in anticipation of one day being a Edrei or peace knight. The curriculum is rigorous, and very few make it, but it is worth every moment. To be an Edri is to be almost untouchable. To be held above all others in the realm, what judgment you bring final. Not to mention they're the keeper of dragons. As the students battle not only each other but their inner selves to come out on top, a secret is accidentally uncovered. Leaving them and you to ponder, what is the truth , where does it come from, and at what cost is it worth?

I finished this book in 3 days because it sucked me in. It gave just enough Fourth Wing vibes to sate my hangover while still being an intriguing story. I loved all the banter and whitty quips between the mcs throughout the book. I also thoughlly enjoyed the interrogations and tried to figure out what I would have answered before reading the characters response. 😅 These were very humbling moments knowing I wouldn't cut it here.

I would like to thank angryrobot publishing and B.F. Peterson for the free arc I received and am happy to leave this honest review.

This had a comp title of fourth wing which made me really excited, but it was a very different book, which I'm partly glad for. It was very dark academia, but I did want more dragons. While confusing at the start, by the end I was pretty invested in a few familiar characters. I think this left off at a very interesting point and that book 2 could be even better.