Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 25/06/2026
Published by: Tor
ISBN: 978-1-0350-8940-6
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Characters:
Romance:
I really wanted to love this book, but ultimately, it left me feeling underwhelmed. Sure, the premise, medieval-inspired setting and political manoeuvring were interesting, but the execution leaned on too many familiar tropes and felt simplistic. The pacing also struggled at times, with clunky information dumps and slower scenes that failed to hold my attention. While I appreciated Maggie as a smart and kind main character, her one-dimensional struggles and fixation on the attractive men around her made it difficult for me to fully connect with her. Similarly, the secondary characters felt underdeveloped beyond their tragic backstories, so I never got attached to any of them.
Quotes:
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black and The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty are my recommendations. Both books are portal romantasy with female MCs navigating political intrigue.
Q: What did you think about the worldbuilding and politics in the story?
Q: Which secondary characters stood out most to you, and what made them memorable?
Q: Were you surprised by the character reveals, or did you see any of them coming?
Q: How did you feel about the romance, and did you find yourself rooting for the couple?
Q: Would you have been able to do the things Maggie did, or would you have handled things differently in her position?
Q: Have you ever started a business or taken on a major personal project? What was that experience like?
Q: What did you think of the cliffhanger ending, and do you have any theories or predictions for the next book?
Q: If you could step into any fantasy world you’ve read about, which one would you choose—and why? Do you think you could survive in it, and what challenges would you face?
Q: What are some of your favourite books and series, and why do you love them?
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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