I feel like this one was a great start to a trilogy set in a complex fantasy version of Scotland/Ireland. The world building is robust, filled with lore, magic rules, class stratification, and regional differences. Raine's transformation from innocent/naive to bitter and suspicious before finally resolving into a mix of the two is refreshing to see - a reminder that at this point she's still just 17 and is allowed to make mistakes, no matter what she's been through. I'm excited to read book two to see her finally get magic training that she deserved since the beginning lol.

As for the LGBT aspect

I liked that Raine understood her attraction to men, and while she could acknowledge her attraction to Esher (a female), she was confused as to why, how, and what she would even do with said attraction.