Summary:
Ten years ago, the kingdom of Jasad burned. Its magic was outlawed. Its royal family murdered. At least, that's what Sylvia wants people to believe. The Heir of Jasad escaped the massacre, and she intends to stay hidden, especially from the armies of Nizahl that continue to hunt her people.
But a moment of anger changes everything. When Arin, the Nizahl Heir, tracks a group of Jasadi to her village, Sylvia accidentally reveals her magic - and captures his attention. Now Sylvia's forced to make a deal with her greatest enemy: Help him hunt the rebels in exchange for her life.
A deadly game begins. Sylvia can't let Arin discover her identity, even as hatred shifts into something more between the Heirs. And as the tides change around her, Sylvia will have to choose between the life she wants and the one she abandoned.
My Thoughts:
Sylvia is such a compelling character, even more so than other main characters of similar stories. She is the sole survivor of the royal family, and intends to hide her identity for as long as she lives. When a young child is in danger from the Omal Heir's temper, Sylvia lashes out in anger, accidentally exposing her magic. While no one knows her identity, they know she is Jasadi. In exchange for her life, Arin wants her to be his Champion in the upcoming games. He hopes to draw out the rebels with her in the spotlight. With no other option, she agrees.
I really like how fast-paced yet character-driven this book is, as well as how the author writes. If I didn't know before I started reading, I never would have guessed that this was the author's first book. I also really like Sefa and Marek, Sylvia's friends. They really balance out the dynamics. The slow-burn romance between Sylvia and Arin is very believable. They don't even admit their feelings for each other until the end. The only real complaint I have is not really knowing much of anything about Jasad and the in-depth reasons why they were targeted. I get that we learn them while Sylvia does, but Jasad feels more like a legendary kingdom than one that existed until a decade prior. I hope this gets resolved with the next book.
My Rating: 3 stars
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