recommend: 100%!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️(2 scenes, some description)

I was so afraid to read this book because of all the hype, but boy, did this book not disappoint! There were parts that I think could have been done better, but overall, I loved it.

One part that annoyed me was that Violet is at a dragon rider's college where killing is part of the culture, but she never kills anyone! Girl, they tried to kill you! You can’t “talk” through everything and “solve” it! The point of the college is to survive and become part of the army, but she is so scared to kill anyone, even to save herself. It’s starting to get on my nerves.

But I loved seeing the relationship between Violet and Xaden turn into something more than just family enemies. It was slow but clear. I loved how, in the beginning, Violet clearly thinks Xaden is hot, but every time that thought pops into her head, she goes: don’t think that!

Something I hope changes in the second book, or further into the series, is that Dain gets his head out of his ass. I’m not okay with basically anything he did in this book. He’s supposedly Violet’s best friend but doesn’t believe or trust her and, towards the end,

betrays her more than Xaden does

.

tropes
*

Enemies to lovers
* Betrayal
* Dysfunctional family
* Fated mates/bonds