So here's the thing. Initially, when I read this book, some parts made me say, Yo, fuck this book! But ... I also loved parts of it. I loved Mina Wentworth, I loved the world, and more importantly, it ultimately led to The Kraken King (Book 4 in the series) and Ariq, my all time favorite male lead. So you kind of have to read this because it sets up the world, but the payoff is worth it.