Characters: 4/10

While Amarande was a strong and determined protagonist, I felt that the characters overall lacked depth. Many secondary characters were indistinguishable or underdeveloped, making their presence feel more functional than additive to the story. Amarande’s relationship with Luca was touching, but I found the antagonists and supporting cast to be flat, lacking the nuance needed to make them truly memorable or compelling.

Atmosphere/Setting: 4.5/10

Although the setting had potential, I found it only partially immersive. The contrast between the desert and castle environments was interesting, but the lack of intricate detail made it hard for me to fully picture the world. The energy in key scenes didn’t always feel convincing or consistent, which lessened the impact of the story’s tension.

Writing Style: 4/10

The writing was straightforward and easy to follow, but it didn’t stand out as particularly unique or engaging for me. I found the prose functional but lacking in beauty or creativity, and the dialogue felt flat at times. While the flow was adequate for the story, it didn’t leave me eager to explore more of Sarah Henning’s work.

Plot: 4/10

The plot had an intriguing premise—a princess saving her beloved—but I felt the execution was underwhelming. The pacing was inconsistent, and certain developments felt either rushed or overly simplistic. While there were some twists, they didn’t feel especially surprising or impactful. The overall story left me feeling indifferent, as it lacked the depth or uniqueness to set it apart from other YA fantasies I’ve read.

Intrigue: 4/10

While the story had its moments, it didn’t hold my attention consistently. There were times when I had to convince myself to pick it back up, as the stakes and developments didn’t always feel compelling. The journey felt predictable, and I wasn’t consistently curious about what would happen next.

Logic/Relationships: 3.5/10

I struggled with the logic and coherence of the world and its characters. The relationships, particularly between Amarande and Luca, felt shallow and underexplored. The world-building was minimal, leaving me with more questions than answers about the political systems and rules of the setting. Some character motives and actions felt contrived, which pulled me out of the story.

Enjoyment: 4/10

While I appreciated the premise and moments of action, my enjoyment of the book was inconsistent. The lack of depth in characters, world-building, and plot made it hard for me to stay fully engaged. Though I appreciated the feminist twist, it wasn’t enough to elevate my overall experience.