This was an absorbing, world-heavy, unputdownable fantasy that gives me From Blood and Ash feels. (The story is way different, but plot pieces are kinda similar). The romance is very light, but still makes you feel invested - I hope it’s developed more in the second book!

Though the story starts a little slowly, it’s so that she can pay attention to the world-building and on developing Xingyin. But it works! It’s kinda like a MCU origin story - you have the origin in the beginning and then the action in the second half (don’t worry, though! The action in this book starts sooner than the second half of the book, though more and more is introduced as the story moves on).

I can’t wait to see what the second book is like, especially since the world is already established!