I enjoyed this story a lot. The worldbuilding is fascinating, the earthrage concept is interesting. 

The magic system is also unique to me. The main characters, Ahilya and Iravan’s relationship is fraught, and it is realistic that two such characters - an arrogant woman and a prideful man - will be at constant loggerheads, being equally motivated to change things for the better in their ashram but approaching their goal from opposite ends. I like the exploration of a system that, while keeping people alive, is still a system with class divisions and an over-emphasis on community responsibilities where “The Greater Good” runs rampant to the point of choking individual expression. Such an environment will eventually face cracks and failures with the various systemic issues and that is exactly what happens.  I wouldn’t say I am head-over-heels for this story, but I am curious enough to explore the sequel.