** spoiler alert ** 
 I was intrigued enough by aspects of this book to buy the sequel, but this book certainly does have many flaws. I think my main issue is that I'm used to reading straight-up fantasy, not a romance novel disguised as fantasy. I don't read romance novels, so this was an odd experience. 
 The romance in this did not work for me. Tiras, the king and love interest, is possessive, rude, and arrogant. Lark, the POV character, is too childlike. She gets better as the story progresses, but I never loved her. Plus, women being bird-like - overdone. The writing also bothered me. Lots of telling, not showing. Like when the reader finds out Lark is pregnant, apparently Lark already knows?? WHAT. If Lark, as a first-person POV, thinks she's pregnant, I as the reader should know that too. That's how first-person works. It does not work like: 
 Old man: You have two heartbeats in you. 
 Lark: Oh yes I suspected this for awhile now. 
 Really? Because you never said anything and I'm supposed to be in your head. 
 Also, Lark is super obtuse when it comes to certain plot points and the book felt way too drawn out because of this. 
 What I did like: words as magic. I thought that was interesting. I also liked the brief instances of female solidarity between Firi and Lark, although Firi turns out to be bad so maybe this doesn't count. 
 Anyway, now that I've written this review, I'm reconsidering reading the sequel. Romance novels just aren't my thing at all. But if you're into more romance than fantasy, this might be for you.