I really wanted to love this book but nothing was fully explored.

The way magic is granted or learnable is unique. I wish we had more development as to the world-building, the plot and the romance.

We don't see Noam studying magic (sometimes, the author would mention something Noam studied or what a tutor said but we never *read* about it) or improving. As a result, we're left with nothing to witness the character's growth. What can he do? For how long? What are the limits? We don't know...

The romance could have been better as well. Just because it takes forever for the couple to be together or confess their feelings doesn't mean it's slow-burn. It's important to have interactions, a dynamic between the characters. Here, Noam and Dara don't interact much before the attraction starts. I expected them to get to know each other more, you know, since they are on opposite sides of the political conflict.

The ideas were good but the execution was unfortunately flat.