2.5 stars
★★

Trell is a healer with a unique ability and side kick dragon with the dream to travel, offering her abilities and seeking new ways of medicine. 

Trell is self-assured, compassionate and generous healer with an open-heart and steel spine. Although well intentioned, Gren misrepresents his circumstances in order to gain Trell's companionship. Gren's goals are noble but costly. Gren is a character I had a hard time liking, and rooting for. Pretending to have illness that labels him an outcast from society and is sus. 

The romance was very sweet and young. Trell has a certain naiveté that is a result of her time spent as a literal tree for a thousand years. I'm more interested in her being transformed into a tree than the aftermath. My favourite scenes were when Trell was communicating with the plants and with Torkel. Also the bells in Trell's hair sounded cool and I'm jealous. 

Torkel a dragon that shape shifts to human (as opposed to dragon) that is depicted as a towering Black man. I found him funny, interesting character that isn't dependant of Trell, but regard each other in a familial respect. He is very independent and continues to not consider the consequences for his actions. Interesting dichotomy of a 'wise' dragon acting like a teenager. 

Unfortunately, the plot takes a back seat to the romance and I wish Trell, her tree-talking abilities and the other dragons where explored more. 

This is a YA book recommended for 16+ and contains sexual scenes. 

TW: animal death, false imprisonment, blood, death.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was engaging and interesting. The depth of characters was enough, though some of them could have used more. There was enough world building that you don't feel lost. I look forward to the second book.