Read for: Audio Book & Because everyone has been raving about it!
Synopsis: "Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.
Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.
But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.
There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself."
My Review: I have been hearing a lot about this book, especially since the second book just came out. I found it on sale on Audible so thought I would give it a try, but I never expected this! Wow, really this book blew me away. The world building was a little rocky at first but the connection with the characters was instant, I loved them right way and was a little irritated every time a view point chapter would end and leave you hanging. With that said the book moved along so quickly, there is constantly something happening, new twists being pulled out of the plot line and a never ending emotional rollercoaster. I really enjoyed that this book was also narrated by two people, it helped differentiate both Elias and Laia's view points and find their individual voices. You are definitely left at a bit of a cliffhanger ending so I suggest having the next book ready to go, I myself will be downloading as soon as possible!
Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.
But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.
There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself."
My Review: I have been hearing a lot about this book, especially since the second book just came out. I found it on sale on Audible so thought I would give it a try, but I never expected this! Wow, really this book blew me away. The world building was a little rocky at first but the connection with the characters was instant, I loved them right way and was a little irritated every time a view point chapter would end and leave you hanging. With that said the book moved along so quickly, there is constantly something happening, new twists being pulled out of the plot line and a never ending emotional rollercoaster. I really enjoyed that this book was also narrated by two people, it helped differentiate both Elias and Laia's view points and find their individual voices. You are definitely left at a bit of a cliffhanger ending so I suggest having the next book ready to go, I myself will be downloading as soon as possible!
My Rating: I totally understand why everyone was raving about this book, I got so sucked in well before the second half of the book (which is early for most books for me) that I just didn't want to stop reading. I think the narrators on this one really added to the story too. I give this one a rating of Four Paws!
The release of the second book is sure making everyone talk about this one. Now I want to get my hands on it. I'm glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteThe great thing is that there isn't any waiting for the next book! I am glad I kept hearing about it and finally took the chance, it was so worth it!
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