5++ stars This is one of those books in which I reach the end, and I’m just speechless. As a fan of Sarah Cradit, I am fortunate to be part of her advanced reader team. I don’t think I’ve ever rated one of her books at less than five stars, and I don’t imagine I ever will. Because even though I think her earlier books are exceptional, I have to admit, she keeps getting better and better. This one had me on the verge of a panic attack more times than I can mention. I was ready to break out the Xanax on more than one occasion, but settled for an edible. What I’m saying is that the tension was extreme—and it wasn’t about someone dying, but just trying to figure out what the hell was going on and what the eventual outcome would be. I couldn’t figure out who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. In a way, it kept changing. Ultimately, the plot gets high marks from me. It’s unique and intriguing. And did I mention? TENSE. There were some wonderful statements made by characters that I want to share. Tyreste is a childhood friend in love with Rhaian, but he’s poor. He tells her, “If desire were currency, I’d have more than enough gold to make you my wife.” As a woman, Rhaian has few choices in her life, and she struggles to express herself within the confines of the strictures that confine her. For example, when told something she dislikes, “Rhiain rolled through her catalogue of contrived dispositions and decided bland derision fit the scenario best.” Without giving away too much of the plot, this image of Tyr’s abode was wonderful: “If he was especially silent, he could hear laughter beyond the thick stone walls, dripping into the earth encasing them.” And when Rhaian has a disturbing encounter with him, she discovers, “There was only one way to keep the tumult of emotion out of her voice when she spoke, which was to not speak at all.” Rhaian finds a great friend and confidant in Sesto, her “lady’s maid,” for lack of a better word. He shares some profound words of wisdom: “You’re only discovering what most of us discover all too early in our lives. That life takes and takes from us. If we let it, it will take everything. When it gives, we’re expected to grovel and then lie back and accept the next loss like it’s a gift and not reparation.” He also tells her, “It’s the men in your life who will get you into the same trouble they’ll later punish you for.” Also, when learning of her love for both Tyr and Asterin, Sesto wryly comments, “Asterin has a preference for redheads. You have a preference for men fluent in the language of brooding.” Rhaian, the heroine of the book, travels a painful journey of self-discovery. This journey shows her that she cannot trust those charged with protecting her. As she determines who can be trusted and who truly loves her, she becomes self-sufficient and proves she is a survivor. Those who decide to help her, do so because they love her and not because she needs them. Initially, she wishes to take on the pain she believes she caused Tyr, before being told, “That’s not how pain works, Rhiain. It belongs to us, like a gift we never asked for but cannot return.” This is just one of the revelations made to her during her quest to uncover the truth. Do I recommend this book? Absolutely, and unequivocally. With so many outstanding books to Sarah Cradit’s credit, I cannot say this is the best, but I can say this is currently my favorite. July 27, 2022
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Elizabeth J ConnorWriter. Editor. Proofreader. Archives
September 2022
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