4.14 AVERAGE

adventurous hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous mysterious slow-paced
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes

I had such high hopes for this book. It had all the necessary components to be at least a 4 stars, but I felt like there was too much focus on all the wrong things.

I wanted more of Jaren and Kiva, I got ONE scene and even that I barely considered. I need more character development if I’m to continue this series. But if you’re in it purely for the plot, go ahead.

Also, I honestly didn’t give two flying fucks about the disease that she was trying to cure, idk if that makes me heartless but I would’ve rather had more focus on the trials themselves. Speaking of the Trials, I hated every single one xx. I thought they were going to be Trials that require a little bit of intelligence, but no, they were honestly the stupidest Trials I’ve ever seen

3.5 ⭐️ Honestly, was predictable up until the ending. Solid starter book!

4.5 ⭐️

More people need to know about this book! It needs more hype and this author is amazing. The cliffhanger ending really shocked me and left me with an excited thrill, waiting to borrow the next book from the library. There was plenty of MC trauma to go around though (really, Kiva suffered through a lot) and a lot more topics that might interest some people like:
- Royals
- Trying to cure a mystery illness
- Rebels who want to put the 'rightful heirs' back on the throne
- Elemental (water,earth,fire,air) and healing magic
- An unjust prison (mistreating prisoners)
- An opportunity to get freedom by completing an impossible trial with 4 deadly challenges

So if anything listed above appeals to you then you should totally read this book.
adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No