I wavered between 3.5 to 4 stars. The premise of the book is engaging of course. But it has a very similar Dystopian recipe except in high fantasy.

The book follows four young people that life eventually collides because of war. The war is sprung from years of hatred and greed between two kings, leaving the Middle Kingdom barren.

What I liked?

I liked the struggle of these different characters expressed in their own distinctive voice.

I like The Watchers and the mysteriousness that surrounds them.

I like Magnus and Lucia. Their devotion for each other is awe inspiring.

I liked King Gauis, I like that he made a good greedy villain.

What did I not like?

The dialogue is so painful. Everything is revealed too quickly. I want to see not be told what's going on. This book needed better imagery and descriptions.

Also there are a lot of shallow explanations, especially surrounding Cleo's beauty. You expect me to believe that Jonas hated Cleo less because she's hot? What the fuck!?! He hated her for like 200 pages and in 4 pages he became Luke warm? I wanted to scream. That's such bullshit!

The way the reveal secrets in this book is so freaking lazy it drives me insane. The amount of time someone sneaks up on someone and eavesdrop. Why are royals having private conversations in the freaking garden or with doors wide open? How stupid can they be!?! And this tool was used over and over and over again.

What am I eh about?

I don't know I feel about Cleo. Up until her father and sister death, she has been an impulse little creature. And yes, her intentions are pure but she does not think first before she acts and put people around her in danger because of it.

I don't know I feel about Jonas. His passion flip flop more than the ocean but I think that his story will be a better one with next book.

So yeah those are my thoughts.