This book was good! I enjoyed it. I liked the setting and the imagery, especial when the author described remnants (which human senses can't quite grasp or process). I liked the peeling back of layers for these two characters and the things that they've been through. The mystery of Jainan's past had me sucked in. The only qualm I have about this book is the romance. I understand that Everina Maxwell didn't want this story to be smutty or anything like what most books are about these days, and that's totally fair, I just think we needed a bit more than what is given here. There's so much emotional hesitation and timidness, you honestly can't get me to believe that fade to black sex scene went smoothly. I think it would have been awkward. I think Maxwell could have described that without being explicit about it. You can describe emotions rather than what they're physically doing. Even just a phrase like "Kiem and Jainan were awkward tangle of limbs and sputtering apologies as they grappled close. With the misunderstandings cleared away, nothing was left between them" would have left me feeling more satisfied. It would have gotten five stars if it wasn't for that.