"It was, indeed, a tricky thing to be a woman." 
 I received this book on a read-to-review basis from NetGalley. Thank you to the author, C.L. Denault, and the publisher, REUTS Publications, LLC, for the opportunity. 
 This felt like A Game of Thrones meets Red Queen meets A Throne of Glass. In short: this was epic! 
 The story initially grabbed my attention as I was launched straight into the heart of the action. The reader learns who is who and what is what through showing not telling as Denault artfully navigates us around the world. I had presumed this was a quaint and rural fantastical land, which it, in part, is, and then part of the world inhabited by the powerful elite is discovered and this turns into more of a science-fiction tale. The two parts of the world are at odds with each other and yet this grating works to create momentum for a rebellion and intrigue within the plot. 
 The story converges on a multitude of genres, as the plot advances. Romance, satire, mystery - this novel conquers it all! It also held the appeal of having a feisty female protagonist who can kick ass as good as the boys, knows her own mind, isn't subtle about her dislike of being guarded, used or treated as a china doll, and uses others' misogynistic treatment of her for her own gains. She is the type of protagonist I can really get behind! 
 There was a never a time where I could guess the character's intent or the plot's progression but was meekly carried along on this stellar story with impeccable telling. I can not wait to see where the story goes!