Enjoyed this because I enjoy Martha Well’s imaginative worlds and characters so much. This one felt not quite fully formed, or like it needed a few more rounds of editing to really achieve its full potential but I enjoyed it regardless! I was spoiled by reading Martha Well’s latest (2023) fantasy novel first, which I enjoyed so much, that going back to her (understandably not as polished) earlier work left me wanting a little bit more. Still enjoyed a lot, really liked the begrudging allies —> lovers arc that unapologetically happened VERY early on, with no bumps in the romantic road as the book went on… this was unusual and refreshing