The art is stunning 

Story is so relevant 

Girls with swords 

 

I almost talked myself out of giving this book five stars. But I’m going to give it five stars and it’s my first five star read of 2024. 

 

When I was going through the reviews because I’m curious and nosy I saw a lot of complaints that they didn’t actually change the system they were caught in and that the theme of : war is evil is so basic. 

 

I think that even though there isn’t a ton of character development and they don’t completely uproot the systems they are parts of it is so realistic. We do the right thing when we can but uprooting systems of oppression take time. Especially when those systems of oppression have the ability write history. 

 

I would also argue that the themes of this run much deeper than many of the critics give it credit for. We have a child hiding her identity so she can fit in and make friends. If that doesn’t speak to immigrating to America I don’t know what does. 

 

We have one of the recruits who has indoctrination so ingrained to him that even when things fall in front of him and he is presented with proof of what is happening he denies it and leave to go rejoin the army. I really could see interesting arcs from that character should we get a sequel. 

 

We have two characters that we’re friends with this character who have to realize their prejudice and the way they othered her when they found out. Which just further reinforces the idea that she should have hid her identity to begin with. 

 

And yeah. Sure. War is bad. But that wasn’t the main theme here. It’s that the conquerors and victors get to tell the story. And their story isn’t always the truth. Even now, as an educator, I can confirm that there is whitewashing of history that is presented to children. The lesson here is when you are learning history you have to question who is telling it and who does it serve so you can attempt to find the truths buried beneath the smoke and mirrors.