It's such a simple story that it's actually impressive how entirely fucking toxic it is.

I hate that Danica is pregnant but you only hear Zane's thoughts on it and not hers. I hate that they just decide they don't want to know who the falcon is when Syfka is going to thrash them all if she doesn't find them. This is why teenagers shouldn't be in charge. Any reasonable person would have asked what the falcon did. Also why don't they have any advisors. An exiled avian has to tell Zane that his people are freaked out about being led by a half avian? He should have already known that and been prepared for it, not blindsided after she's already pregnant. And why are they traveling together on only horseback with a handful of guards. Also I fucking hate that Erica goes in and makes sure Danica will never have another child without her consent what the actual fuck. Danica is so young she could have had more kids. Miscarriages happen. What a horrible thing to deny her her choice. And then to find that her childhood best friend died and was replaced by an imposter and she didn't notice. That's so fucked up and it's barely addressed. Then Danica doesn't even present their idea of the third court to her people herself, she has her shitty mom do it.

I really liked this book when I was a kid. But I can't for the life of me figure out why.