Thank you to Victory Editing, NetGalley, and the Collins for providing me with a digital arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!

4 stars / 4.25 stars

This is a high fantasy book that feels LOTR-esque while still remaining new and fresh with its worldbuilding. I wouldn’t say it's cozy, but because of the quest and the 4 characters we’re following (guardsman, thief, a princess, and the guardsman’s best friend)… it feels like the type of book I would enjoy between longer, bleaker series. 

I was gripped from the first chapter and it was the type of book I needed at the time. Though it has all the classic fantasy tropes we love, Collins includes lots of representation that I think most books in this category lack (ex. was very intrigued in how sign language was written into the story). This made me feel more seen and attached to the characters of this world.

I LOVED Olaf and Ral and wish they had more POV chapters! I did enjoy Dimitar and Kaleela’s chapters, but I wish the romance didn’t take as much page time in their POVs. I’m usually a sucker for romantic subplot, but I think it could’ve slow-burned a little more. At the very least, there shouldn’t been more angst in regards to their stations even if Khaled wouldn’t supported them regardless 🙂

Another thing to note… the plot kinda dragged in the middle. There were times where I felt like the characters were bouncing from place to place very conveniently. Though there was urgency, I think the plot could’ve done with more intimate character moments or depth to the backstories of Dimitar or Olaf. This might be something that will be expanded on in Book 2.

This is one of the few stories that does found family well. I loved seeing Dimitar’s growth and willingness to change his opinion on Ral. All 4 characters had lovely moments with each other and were not just contained to their prior relationships. I need more Ral x Kaleela x Dimitar in Book 2!!