4.25/5 
 This trilogy was recommended to me by two of my good friends, and I can tell this is going to be a good one! I thought this was a solid introduction to this world and these characters. I really enjoyed Marie Rutkoski's writing and her descriptions of the world with all the colors and scents. Kestrel is a total badass and I really appreciated that she wasn't naturally weapon savvy and instead was a strategist. The duel was one of my favorite scenes because we see that cunningness. We see that same thing with Arin which makes Kestrel and Arin's interactions enjoyable. I love how sharp the characters, the world, and the dialogue are. Also, I want to learn how to play Bite and Sting. There was a lot that happened in this book plot-wise, and I feel like a lot is going to be fleshed out in the next books. Some things I thought were cliche, but overall I really enjoyed this book (couldn't put it down so I'm definitely invested lol). I am a total sucker for political intrigue, and I am really looking forward to seeing more of that. Cannot wait to continue :)