I REALLY wanted to like this one a little more than this. I had such high hopes. The world building is interesting and the magic system/mythology in this story has a cool foundation. The plot is basically revenge, which I don't mind, so this should have been fairly solid. However....

The characters didn't do it for me. I didn't dislike them or find them flat or boring (unless their name is Emre), but they fell just short of what I think we were going for. While the choices they made were consistent and understandable, I had a hard time buying in to their emotions. 

The whole story is Çeda wanting to avenge her mother's death, but honestly why? Apart from this dead woman being her mom, I felt no real love between them. We were given one scene where there was something good and beautiful, and for me it wasn't enough. 

Similar with Emre's family situation. I buy a little more in to his emotions, but I wasn't given enough to care. 

Then we have the plot twists. I wouldn't say that this book is boring, but everytime a twist did come along, I wasn't blown away. They were just there.

Lastly and shortly, our girl had it way too easy at the end. Just saying. 

Despite me harping on, I'm totally willing to give book 2 a try to see how it goes. Hopefully we up our stakes and learn more about the lore/magic.