Review Detail

There was a lot of things this book got right. The story, the mystery, the magic system - all of that fed into what I love about Fantasy books. I really enjoyed this whole story of Damian trying to solve the murder(s) happening while also trying to keep from going back to war. The rawness of his grief is so present on the pages and the stress of the importance of solving this case. What is happening with the murders? The mystery surrounding what was going on was great. And the magic system. Magic based on seven saints that bless people creating them into disciples while some may be unfavored because they never posses that magic. While some of the basic prejudices were very much present in the book, it worked.

Then there was Damian and Roz. Friends to enemies to working together? Well please, we know where this is going and I loved every second of it. While they tried so hard to deny what was there, I really enjoyed their relationship and how they worked together. They make sense and even their actions and consequences made sense. I thought they were very well flushed out.

My issues with the book, I think may come from an editing stand point. Please keep in mind that I had an advanced copy so some these things could have changed with the final product. But oh my goodness, some of the repetitiveness got to me. I am very much aware that Roz's fathers death had traumatic consequences and it was just overstated, so many times. The other issue I had was that it was so obvious what was happening but none of them could figure it out? While I didn't get the clues of the poison or the eyes, I thought it was pretty clear what was going on. I did not guess the person so I did like that twist but the big plan behind it all... I just don't know why it took so long and it wasn't even that they figured it out. It was revealed to them.

But I really enjoyed this book overall and I'll definitely be continuing it. I can't wait to see what happens next and how Damian and Roz's relationship continues. I think the ending really built up well to create a second book giving it so many options.