I'm torn about this story.

The ideas are sound, and the writing is enjoyable. I think the FMC is a good character and she definitely holds it all together for me. I also enjoy MMC#2 of the love triangle and feel he's a better match than MMC#1. Obviously, the prophecy and the moving pieces are leading toward war and overthrowing the current emperor. This leads to a lot of potential with action and development.

Unfortunately, it fell flat. I struggled with the pacing of the story. Half of the book went by, and I felt like nothing had happened at all. The story ends and I feel like that's when things are starting to happen, but then nothing really happened. There is a lot of telling (instead of showing) and inner character dialogue. I didn't feel like the inner dialogue really did anything since plot-wise nothing was given the chance to develop. I wanted the FMC to get to her arranged marriage and get into those conflicts with the emperor, but it waited until the end of the book, and even then, it ends before they actually get to meet.

Also, the story basically takes place over a month or so while the FMC is waiting to be taken to her arranged marriage. I think because of that time span, the love interests and the development of those suffer and aren't quite believable as deep connections. I struggled to really connect to characters in a plot that is predictable. This book feels like it's setting everything up for all the good stuff in book 2, however, with nothing of substance in book 1, it's hard to see a better plotline and development for book 2.

Oh, also, those few chapters of love scenes - SPOILERS - in dreams and playing pretend with people...IYKYK, that just didn't do it for me. Putting those scenes in a book to say they're there, doesn't do a lot. I read them and felt awkward for the FMC as well as for the MMC who are doing things that they probably wouldn't do in the first place. The tension prior to these scenes is really well done in developing a love triangle, and then those scenes really set it backwards.

I want to really like this book. Truly. But I'm not sure I'll read book 2.

this love triangle is the first in awhile that has me confused on who to root for! the writing is really unique and magical albeit unbelievable when aralin is 15 (few chapters). readers follow royalty, betrayal, love, and the supernatural. three perspectives are included (aralin, zaiden and ezerick) that flow really nicely and compliment each other. sure, there are nice twists but that cliffhanger? oh you know i will be reading book 2 immediately! 4 stars super fun fantasy romance read

(that one scene with zaiden and the dreamleaf was SPICY.. readers beware haha)

thank you stella dale & netgalley for the ARC!