It was slow at first, and I felt indifferent if not distaste towards members of the covenant and thus had little care for the characters. However, about a quarter of a way through, I was drawn in and I quickly formed my own predictions and suspicions (some of which turned out to be true).

Overall, I absolutely loved the plot, it was engaging and kept me wanting more. This is the first book in a while that has kept me so engrossed that I literally couldn't put it down. The story was unique and like none other I've read, and Robin LaFevers is a truly talented writer and storyteller.

The heroine/protagonist Ismae undergoes some amazing development and we see her go from a helpless, timid girl, to a blindly obedient assassin, and finally to a strong woman readers love and sympathize with. I knew from the moment we were introduced to Gavriel that he would be one of my favorite characters, and I was not left disappointed. The characters are all well developed and multidimensional, even the minor characters.

I definitely recommend this to anyone interested in YA historical fiction, fantasy, or really anyone interested in a fast paced novel with a hint of romance.