I found this journey enjoyable overall, though I believe it was a bit underdeveloped in certain areas. Suraya had significant potential, but she never quite reached the depth I was hoping for. While she’s not unlikable, she felt somewhat flat compared to the other more dynamic elements of the story. I expected a bit more complexity, especially considering the volatile, dangerous situation she’s thrust into. Her character arc had the potential to be much stronger—her inner conflict and the development of her powers could have added more compelling layers, but instead, her growth felt somewhat lackluster at times.

On a separate note, some of the more cringe-worthy moments took me out of the story. The use of terms like “Princesplaining” and “thick thighs save lives” felt jarring. These phrases didn’t fit the tone of the world the author had built and pulled me out of the immersive experience. While I can’t deny that the story was entertaining, moments like these detracted from the otherwise solid writing and intriguing premise.

Additionally, the constant focus on Suraya’s attraction to the prince started to feel a bit forced. I’m not against romance when it serves the plot or deepens character development, but here it felt more like an insta-love scenario that didn’t contribute much to the story’s growth. The constant flirtation and sexual undertones often seemed unnecessary, and at times they distracted from the plot, which could have stood on its own without these constant diversions. I think the romance would have been more compelling if it had developed more gradually, allowing for a deeper emotional connection between Suraya and Roshan. Roshan, the prince’s illegitimate half-brother, has a lot of interesting layers, but just when I thought the story might delve deeper into his complexities, it veered off into cliché romantic tension. This again took away from the larger conflict and felt rushed—like when the story hints at him knowing something crucial that Suraya doesn’t, but then, before anything can unfold, she’s back to swooning over him.

The chapters featuring the God of Night also felt out of place. While I understand there’s a sequel in the works, it seemed like the story was wrapping up, and the inclusion of this element felt disjointed and unfinished. That said, I’m still intrigued to see where the story goes next and see if some of the plot holes are filled.

The world-building, however, was impressive. The backdrop of magic and the tension between the noble houses and the rebel militia created a strong foundation for the plot, and I was genuinely invested in seeing how these dynamics would evolve. There’s a lot of potential for some exciting twists, and I look forward to seeing how things unfold.

Overall, I’d rate this 4 stars—a solid start with room for improvement. While it wasn’t the fantasy adventure I’d hoped for based on the synopsis, it’s clear that there’s a lot of potential here. I just wish the execution had been a bit more consistent and that some of the modern, cringe-worthy moments had been left out.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgally for the ARC.