The first time I read this, I loved it. I gave it five stars. Afterwards, I read reviews to see what other people thought and read one review in particular that explained why the portrayal of slavery in this is incredibly problematic. That review has been in the back of my mind when I consider this series (this first book specifically) ever since. 
 It does get better. She tackles the subject with much more grace in the next two books. However, this first book is on the same level The Wrath and the Dawn is for me now. The writing is gorgeous, and the romance is addicting. What's problematic about this first book is how Arin and his people are cast as villains for trying to take back their country and free their people for the sake of adding a forbidden quality to the romance. When that tension is at its peak, the focus moves away from the mission and onto the romance, which, for me, felt trivializing. Slavery isn't given enough breadth. The events of this book act as a catalyst for Kestrel realizing how horrible it is later, but she isn't faced with that here. The only thing that challenges her perspective is her love for Arin, and I don't think it's enough in this first book. In the second book, yes. But not in this one. 
 I still really enjoy it but I'm torn. Again, it gets better as the books progress. 
 3/5 stars