I barely have the words to describe how much I loved this book. Even before I cracked open the cover and started reading I knew this book would be too short, that I would want so much more than what was written in those pages. Renee Ahdieh first book 'The Wrath and the Dawn' showed what an amazing storyteller she was. She crafts a story with such beautiful skill it could make me weep and this book was even better than her first series. 
 "You'd almost be amusing if you smiled more." His lips curled upward. "In case your mother never told you, pretty girls like you should smile. Especially if you're trying to get a man to do your bidding." 
 Let's talk what drew me in first, her name is Mariko and she is the heroine in this fantastic tale. The daughter of a prominent samurai we meet her as she is being escorted to the capital to marry the son of the Emperor. She's a total badass and not because she knows how to wield a sword or how to fight in fact she's not very good at either of those things. Mariko is a thinker. She invents her own weapon and practices alchemy. A girl who desperately wishes to be judged by something other than her sex. 
 "You don't know the beginning of me." She trembled as she spoke. "and...you will never see the end." 
 I love stories were the girl has to disguise herself as a boy. I got pulled in with Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness series and I've never stopped loving them. One of my favourite moments in this story was when(view spoiler)[ Mariko cuts off her own hair, (hide spoiler)] it felt like a thrilling start to a grand adventure. 
 "Never forget, Sanada Takeo: in this forest, there is no place to hide." 
 The magic in this story was another peculiar thing from bloodthirsty tree's to nightbeasts and other terrible things. It was something that was introduced and not explained, answers I hope to get in book two but that I nonetheless enjoyed greatly. Renee Ahdieh wove together the culture and heritage of the feudal world bringing to life its myths and magic effortlessly. I felt like I was being thrown back thousands of years, she described everything from the food, to the articles of clothing, and the buildings. This time she even put a glossary in the back, something I wanted when reading 'The Wrath and the Dawn' and am so happy we get in this book. I love that she never explains what anything is, just states it and lets you put it all together. It's a way books can teach us about culture and history without explaining it like a teacher would to a bunch of students. 
 "You haven't told me not to do this" she said softly, a becoming flush rising to her cheeks. "Nor have you asked me why I'm here" 
 Against his better judgement, Okami replied "Why would I?" 
 "Because I am a girl," she whispered. 
 Irritation took root in his chest. Not irritation with her words. But irritation with her need to say them and what it meant. Okami steadied his gaze on hers. "You are first and foremost a person. A reckless, foolish person, but a person nonetheless. If I ever say you are not permitted to do something, rest assured that the last reason I would ever say so would be because you are a girl." 
 *swoons* I mean it doesn't get better than that. Not only did this book have a beautiful setting and a kick ass heroine but the other characters in this story are just as fantastic. I loved Okami and Kenshin and Ranmaru and Yumi and Yoshi. I loved them all though I feel like we only grazed the surface of some of these characters. I wanted so much more of Yumi and I cried (view spoiler)[when Yoshi died (hide spoiler)] 
 This book constantly kept me guessing, the entire story shrouded in mystery. The fact that you never really know for sure who the bad guy is until the end was really interesting and so well done! 
 I don't want to go too much into this book in fear of spoiling it so I will end it here with a short summary. 
 If you love: 
 1.) A bad ass heroine 
 2.) A swoon worthy romance 
 3.) A feudal era world with a touch of magic 
 Than this book is for you! Hands down! I promise you won't be disappointed plus the cover is gorgeous which is always a nice bonus!