This was everything I wanted it to be! I loved the setting, the blend of Sci Fi and fantasy worked perfectly - the Sci Fi aspects were easy to digest (some tech and there’s three moons but mostly it felt like a fantasy).
The concept of the blood trials and praetorians was gripping and the set up of the tribune generals and the bigoted beliefs of most people and the conflict with the blood emperor, it was great world building and pulled me in straight away. I was instantly invested in ikenna, her pain, her motivations and her struggles. She was brash and strong and determined and she never gave up. I loved reading her story, loved the backdrop of the trails as well as her personal mission. The side characters were all well done and had me invested. Most surprisingly Caimen’s arc was so complex and interesting.
The end got intense and I’m very excited to see how the next book will go considering the set up. Definitely a great duology and I’m hoping I’ll love the sequel just as much.
If you want a comparison… it felt like a mix of Blood Scion and Fourth Wing (loosely, do not go in expecting dragons or romance. More the rebellion, the hate the marker ones get, deadly trials, war collage vibes etc)
