An enjoyable epic fantasy read that did a great job with world building and introducing the reader to the characters.

A little slow to start, but once you get past the first few chapters and the ground that the author is using them to lay, the story picks up quickly and is really enjoyable.

The tone is dark and this book is not for those looking for a light, easy read, but if you're ready to buckle in and get deep, its worth the read.

I absolutely loved this book. Haven't read a YA fantasy title that I liked this much in a while. It is an unlikely hero story line, with multiple POVs that all converge in the last chapters, and it was a true delight to read. From the way the characters were built, to the way the world and the storylines were built, it was pure perfection throughout. I cannot wait for book 2, this has been a delight.

A stellar epic fantasy, it took me a while to push through as I think the genre has become less of a major interest for me. However the book itself was very well written. The world building and characterization were amazing. i’m not a fan of multiple POV’s but this book did them well.

First of all, English is not my first language so I'm sorry if I'm going to repeat myself a lot, sometimes I struggle at find words in English, but now start with the review!

I think this is a quite good book, I gave three stars for many reasons and the first one is: that's not my genre, not anymore. I've used to read a lot of fantasy books as a child and as a teenager but I don't think the new formula for fantasy book suit me. But that's my problem and my problem only.

Going on into the reasons I gave three stars, the start of this book it's a little bit difficult, I was quite annoyed but then, reading and reading, the rythme of the narration kick in. I didn't really get emotionally attached to the characters but during the reading I was curious about what's going to happen, so this is a really good point because I was surely invested.
Sometimes the POV changes confused me but I think it's my fault because I get distracted easily 😅
This is, in fact, a good book looking all over the characteristics, and I'm glad I get the opportunity to read it! I hope that the author continues her journey into writing and publish because I see talent here, really! Good job and keep going strong.💖

Thank you to NetGalley and to Varida P&R for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I went into this book blind - just knew that I was a huge fan of the cover, and as I didn't go into it expecting anything I was able to quickly become immersed in this world. I loved the morally grey storylines, the political upheaval the high fantasy, and the incredibly beautiful symbolism. The characters and all of their past histories with trauma and loyalties really is used in such an incredible way as it really helps them to be character driven. The prose is absolutely beautiful and complex.

The pacing was the only thing that I had issues with - it was very inconsistent. Overall however this was an absolutely incredible book that will be lingering in my mind for a long time to come.

While I agree with many others who have posted about this book, the beginning is a little rough, but I have said the same thing about ‘big name’ authors. Sometimes the complex world building at the beginning leads to a magical and mystical book and that is exactly what happened here.

I found the world building quite nice! Sadly this just wasn’t for me, but I do think my friends would love it. I’ll come back for the next book in high hopes I’ll enjoy it more.

I enjoyed this book very much, The world building and character development were detailed and helped to visualize the story. The multiple points of view did throw me a little in the beginning, but worked well with the story once I adjusted. I would, and did, recommend this to friends.

Honestly, I struggled through as much of this book as I possibly could, but the characters are really quite insufferable. I just couldn’t find a single character that I resonated with.
Which made it impossible to read when the book already jumped around between the character point of view so much that it was quite confusing, especially in the beginning of the book.
When the first few chapters are confusing, and you don’t like the characters, it definitely puts a massive storm cloud over the book

I really struggled to get into this book and plot and dialogue were slow in the first few pages. The multi povs where overwhelming and I struggled to get through the book. This was not for me but it might be someone else's.

Could use a little more clear worldbuilding from the start. The book jumps right into the action, which is lovely, but it was difficult to follow right out of the gate with no context. I also had a bit of trouble understanding the time period/setting I should be picturing at first, though that settles itself in the second chapter. The characters were very real and relatable, loveable even in their flaws. Interesting themes of community and family. Dialogue is a touch choppy, many sentences started with “Somebody (blank)ed…” but that seems to lessen over the course of the book. Altogether a very unique story that sets itself apart and a fulfilling read.

4.5 Stars
The dialogue and plot seem a little slow and stilted in the first handful of chapters, which is only made more confusing by the jump between several different POV's, but the author hits her stride after those first few chapters, and I finished this book in 1 1/2 days (would've been sooner if I didn't have a 5 year old lol). This book also opens with a map and diagrams, which I am a sucker for. I cried multiple times, and it takes a lot to make me cry at my big age. If you pick this up, please try pushing through the first few chapters to give it a real go.