There were of course many other characters, but Lyr and Rhyan were my favorite. Other than Lyr's sister, Morgana who we meet a few times. "Put your Godsdamned arm down. I'm not flashing tattoos every time you want unity." I loved her fire! How she tells Lyr how it is because Lyr definitely needs to hear it.

Where this book was the first book in this series it has a lot of world building and there are a ton of words thrown at you to learn but it is delivered so amazingly that I was able to retain the information given without any issues. The story is literally that good. I am so excited for the sequel. I ABSOLUTELY need to know what happens next!This book had me on the edge of my seat for the entire ride. I was panting from the suspense. The story was beautifully written, and it made an absolutely amazing start to what I know will be an amazing series. The character development and the plot are so intense that it will leave you breathless begging for more. I was not ready for this masterpiece! This book needs all the hype!!! Like shout it from the rooftops, display a full on bat signal. The world needs to know about this book!!! I much prefer where she ends the book vs where we meet her. I'm sure I'm supposed to feel more for her considering the secrets she carries and the position(s) she finds herself in during this book and maybe it's the kinda first person single PoV but I wasn't really invested till towards the end and she finally starts taking ownership + actually makes a decision for herself 😬 I love how he's always thre for Lyr, always defending her, being adorable and flirty, but also always ready to teach her a lesson or to put her in her place when she needs it.

Cue uncontrollable screaming because that is what I am currently doing after finishing this absolute MASTERPIECE!!* The world-building is very messy and the lore undeniably confusing; again, this is costructive criticism, not plain critique. The story follows the heartbreaking trials of the Lady Lyriana Batavia, third in line to rule the nation of Bamaria, part of the Lumerian Empire. The book opens with 17-year-old Lyr, as she known in the books, going to a ceremony where her sister, cousin, and other 19-year-olds will have their birth magic unbound and they will choose to become mage or magic-enhanced warrior. She is about to be engaged formally to Tristan, of Ka (House) Grey, a mage who also is trained to hunt down those who use one of the three forms of illicit magic. The world is her oyster. Until it isn’t. and Lyr are some sort of reincarnations of Auriel and Asherah. Imbuing Lyr with Asherah's Goddess powers. So instead of having normal magic or a vorakh, her magic is some combination, explaining some of her dreams and feelings.year-old mage Lady Lyriana Batavia is third in line to the Seat of Power in Bamaria: a position of wealth and privilege, but not safety. Bamaria falls under the rule of the Lumerian Empire, survivors of a celestial war whose island sank in the Drowning. Now all Lumerians submit to the Emperor and his strict laws about magic. He decides what magic can be practiced and what powers remain forbidden. He decides who will die for possession of forbidden magic. Frankie Mallis is a maestro at building tension and constantly throwing her main character into hot water. Every time I thought I could take a breath and see Lyr overcome something, a particularly nasty plot twist happened. The world building was phenomenal with hints of both Egyptian and Roman influences as well as a well-defined and thought-out history, mythology, and magic system. There are libraries, magical beings and half-beings, political intrigue, heart-pounding action scenes, and lots and lots of lore (which I feel we have only just dipped our toes into) all skillfully woven into a narrative that won’t let you go. Rhyan: stop I love him so much. Caring and protective, he hides his kind side under a cold exterior. but honestly I love him so much ahhhhhhh I was not ready for this to make such an impact and my God am I glad that this book came onto my radar and I had the opportunity to read it because I am hooked…and I cannot wait to get into book 2.

vorakh are not as dangerous as believed! I think that they were outlawed by the "bad guys" as a way to weaken the "good guys." I think that part of the binding is what is causing 5he ill side effects of those with a vorakh and this will all be discovered later! Or at least I hope so. 😅 I want Meera and Morgana to find a way to control their gifts and be able to help Lyr in her coming fight.I’m really worried about the “apprentices and their charge must not fall in love” thing. This better not be some sort of Parabatai kind of shit—I will not cope😭 GR book blurb describes this as Cleopatra meets Throne of Glass which makes me feel better about the Roman vibes this was giving me with all the talk of sandals even if I was obvs a little off base with historical context 🫣 This story is about Lyriana who is an Heir to the Arkasva and third in line in the Ruling Ka (yes it’s confusing just bear with me…). Two years prior, on her birthday and her cousin’s Revelation Ceremony; her cousin is arrested and killed for being in possession of one of the three Vorakh, taboo powers after the Drowning of the empire - visions, mind-reading and teleportation. Lyr’s father protects her eldest sister from discovery as she is also in possession of one of these forbidden powers (Visions). A year later Lyr��s middle sister also has to be protected as she possesses Mind Reading. Lyr does everything for her sisters as it’s a death sentence for the whole family if their secret is ever discovered. On Lyr’s Revelation Ceremony she is sure that she is going to be revealed as Vorakh. However events transpire and to stop herself from being banished from the Empire she has seven months to train as a brutal warrior and pass a test of strength. Did I mention that her main trainer is Lord Rhyan Hart, the man she has been in love with since she was seven… This didn’t stop me from not loving the book. It feels like this book is setting the scene and laying the foundation for what is yet to come in the subsequent books and you can spot small seeds that have been planted and hinted at that I hope will start growing soon in book 2.

Rebel forces, and an invading army, are destabilizing Bamaria, just as her family’s secrets threaten to reveal themselves. Lyr: Brave and willing to do anything for her sisters, I love her so much! I think her character’s going to grow a lot through the series. But when she’s forced to train with Lord Rhyan Hart, the man she’s secretly loved since she was a girl—a feared warrior in exile himself, forbidden to her in every way—she’s in danger of losing far more than her family, life, and country.

See a Problem?

Lyr would also get on my nerves a bit; despite her selflessness towards her sisters and cousin, she just kept making such entitled moves. If I were Marak, maybe I’d be fed up with her too, lol. BUT, I believe she’s starting to evolve into a stronger character and I’ve enjoyed seeing those changes happen throughout. So I think there’s definitely some character growth underway! Lyr has plenty scope for growth and I'm curious enough to read more in the series if my library gets the other books...afraid I'm not invested enough to buy them for myself tho - soz 😶 For fans of ACOTAR another T vs R set up with same initials and everything, hardly reinventing the wheel here altho there is an added dimension of teacherXapprentice no romance allowed vibes - but with Mercurials hints I've a feeling I know how they're going to get around this 🤔 Lyriana was so likeable it made it very enjoyable to take on the story from her POV. The girl is smart, strong, and fiercely protective of the people she loves. We see 2 conflicting love interests for Lady Lyr, and it just pulls you even further into the story, as she continues to find herself and what she really wants - which you can see beginning to develop with how she approaches these relationships.