i think this would make a good movie. however i think it was far overstretched and could've been okay with minus 100 pages, simply because there wasn't much happening in the first half of the book. the build up was slow and then the end was disappointing.

expectations i had:
1. enemies to lovers, both-sided
2. likeable characters
3. a lot of physical fighting and much more magic
4. ROMANCE?

what this book was:
1. bully love interest x bullied main character, the mc being all talk no action up until the last 100 pages when she threatens him, and right after gets a love confession from the love interest
2. far from likeable characters, especially jude's sisters who i couldn't stand. everyone had bland personalities and there wasn't an emotion shown by anyone
3. just a lot of negotiating and one or two 1-page sword fights
4. i couldn't even call romance a sub-plot because it was almost nonexistent

maybe i got my hopes up because of how booktok constantly promotes this as a romance with the etl trope and yes, we did get a kiss near the ending but where was the pining??? the build up??? the romance and the emotions???
i think a more interesting option (for me) would be jude's whole plan failing and her having to leave everything behind and escape with cardan

howeverrr i have hope for the sequel