Thank you @netgallary and @dawbooks for this ARC, all view my own.

"We're slumdogs living deep in debt..all roads lead to despair..."

Lythlet and her friend Desil are trying to survive in the harsh city of Setgad. Between mounting debts and poverty, they take a chance and become the new combatants in the underground combat ring fighting sun cursed monsters. They meet the baffling Master Dorthilos, adorable duo Shunvi and Ilden, I imagine them as whimsically odd characters which I would also find in a famous Susanna Clarke book.

 

"There is nothing more dangerous than hope"

Throughout the narrative Lythlet and Desil leaned into their morals as guided by perceived justice and religious teachings, but also by circumstance of being at risk of homelessness, in debt and being 'unregistered' from society. Lau seems to have talent for weaving in social commentary within the story. My heart ached for Lythlets challenges, self doubt and survival instinct: this is a story of displacement, but also of friendship and growth. 

I have been deep diving into the fantasy and dystopian genres, so I couldn't resist this character driven story. There are good attempts at world building through character dialogue, the description of the cosmoscape, Lythlets' appraisal of her surroundings and circumstances, all of which I felt could be developed in richer detail as Lau develops her narrative.

I will leave you with this final quote. 

"They genuinely don't consider your dignity to be as important as their entertainment".

Overall, this was a great debut into the fantasy genre and I am looking forward to the next title in this duology. 

Thank you to @netgallary and @dawbooks for this e-arc, a really excellent pick for dystopian fantasy readers. If you are edging towards diversifying your book reads, this is a brilliant first step 💕