3.75/5 stars 
 "Life is made of so many moments that mean nothing. Then one day, a single moment comes along to define every second that comes after." 
 > The story 
 There are times when death is considered as a better destiny that survival, and Laia and Elias both know it. She's the only survivor of her family, and must bear the guilt of abandoning her brother when he needed her the most. He shoulnd't even be still alive, but his hands are now stained with the blood of innocent people. 
 Guilt, vengeance, fear. But also hope, friendship, trust. 
 This is what Elias and Laia felt and what they communicated through words. All their emotions, uncertaintes, fears and desires slowly evolving during the story, taking one direction or another, never to be taken for granted. 
 Just like truth and trust, as the desperate Scholar and the rebellious Mask will soon learn. Whom to trust when everything is done for interest? Whom to choose as an ally when traitors hide everywhere? Dark, unforseenable alliances are emerging, ready to carry on their bloody plans. Schemes, traps and deception are the key words for a world full of violence and pain, but never void of hope. 
 In the end, both Laia and Elias are just like two embers in the ashes. .Alone they may be weak, almost dying. Two lonely, defeated souls lost in the obscurity of the world, who don't know who they are, who they could be. But as soon as they are near one another, the spark hidden in them starts burning creating raging, inextinguishable flames ready to burn every single obstacle on their path towards a single goal: freedom. 
 > To sum up 
 I regret not to have read this book sooner. Who could have thought to find such a refined and intricated plot, rich of secrets, lies and hard truths? Or that I could feel so much the characters' feelings as my own? 
 The choice of a 1st person narrator and two shifting POVs couldn't have been more suitable: it was really like being in Laia's and Elias' minds and hearts. Such complex, deep and unreadable characters! Never totally black or white, but rather some nuance of gray that sometimes get closer to black than white or the other way round. 
 Exactly like the plot with its twists and conspiracies, betrayal and loyalty, past and present, hate and love, all intertwined toghether. 
 It's exactly this last element the only one leaving me a bit... perplexed and annoyed. Guess why? 
 Love triangle. 
 In the 90% of the books I can't help but hating it, and this one wasn't an exception. I felt that the romantic feelings developed too fast and without much logic. It's a shame that such a good book gets ruined by a silly flaw like this! And I'm afraid that the problem won't be solved in the sequel. 
 Nonetheless I highly recommend it to anyone who's looking for action, bloody fights and political plots: you won't get disappointed! I'm sure that as soon as you finish it you'll run to buy the sequel just as I did!