Fantasy books are supposed to have slow starts. I say it time and time again and I'm used to it. But this book was a little too slow for me with not nearly enough action in the rest of the book to make up for it. There are too many scenes of the characters just milling about, getting to know each other, yes, but in commonplace ways that are too boring for a fantasy novel to truly wow me. I am intrigued in this world of Pearson's and I highly praise her for coming up with her own unique languages. That added some bonus points to this book. It just sucks when there's not one particular time I can pinpoint as capturing my attention. I enjoyed listening to the book from beginning to end, but in more of an indifferent way than anything else. 
 Lia wasn't a bad protagonist. I admired her need to do what she wanted and not be forced into something she didn't want to do. She may have taken a coward's way out and set off a ripple effect, but she's young and that's to be expected. Also, it's not often you see a princess willing, and happy, to become a common barmaid. She's also loyal to her friends and those she truly cares for and I appreciated her love for her brother. 
 Rafe was a decent character. He wasn't all that awesome, but if I had to choose, I'd choose him. I liked watching his relationship with Lia develop and when things take a turn for the worse for Lia, he steps up. I will also say he wasn't who I thought he was at all, which doesn't happen often, and I liked that Pearson was able to surprise me like that. 
 As for Kaden, I honestly did not like him at all and I don't see how this is a love triangle like others have led me to believe. I can't exactly say why without giving away who is who, but he just rubbed me the wrong way and even though there are feelings there, I don't see it as love. His relationship with Lia just wasn't as deep or as strong as hers and Rafe's. Where as some might find some redeeming qualities in him and his feelings towards Lia, I didn't see them as strong enough or worthy enough to warrant her having any real emotions towards him. Also, I was expecting more background and insight into his character and maybe it's just me, but I didn't get that in this book. 
 Despite my obvious qualms with the book, I enjoyed it as a whole. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. So with that said, I am looking forward to reading, or rather, listening to Heart of Betrayal and maybe things will progress further and quicker, given that it's the second book in the series. I need more moments between Rafe and Lia and I need to see what, if anything, is appealing about Kaden. 
 Thoughts on the Narrator 
 FIVE narrators! Sheesh! Most of the book is told through Lia's (Emily Rankin) POV and I think Emily did a great job at portraying her. Her voice is solid and her inflictions on point. I could see myself listening to another book read by her. As for the others, they didn't move me in any particular way. I didn't really care for the one who read the little blurbs at the beginning of a lot of chapters because she sounded like an old lady and I don't know why, but I don't care for those kinds of voices. There's not much to say for the other two narrators as nothing really stood out for me. I will admit that Kirby Heyborne, who I usually can't stand, did a pretty good job. His voice was different, I'm guessing in order to match Ryan's so readers would be confused as to who is who (per the purpose of the book), and I think he needs to use that voice from now on. He was definitely less annoying in this book.