I was told this book was "Project Runway meets Mulan". And it was for the first third or so of the book. After that, it takes a left turn into shallow, forced YA romance territory and I could not be bothered to give a shit. 

The only reason I was able to get through this and finish it was bc I also had access to the audiobook alongside the ebook, which I listened to multiple long drives (I wasn't a huge fan of the audiobook reader either). And it's a shame, bc the worldbuilding and fantasy elements are super fascinating, but it takes a backseat to a petulant main character and her love interest (which was all painfully straight - a huge disappointment when you're claiming your book is like Mulan in this day and age. So many missed opportunities for a more queer interpretation, especially when Ammi was swooning for Maia. I had my hopes up for some Maia/Lady Sarnai, but here we are....). I honestly had zero idea there was even romance in this bc nothing in the marketing even hints at that. Literally the only reason I decided to dive into Yet Another YA Novel was bc the pitch intrigued me. And that part of the novel WAS decent! 

Unfortunately, all of this disappointment + the bland prose = a very not compelling story. By far the most disappointing thing I've read in a long time.