Amazing! Definitely one of my favorite book EVER! Why haven't I read this sooner? So good! But I guess on the bright side, that means I don't have to wait as long as I thought for the sequal, yes! 
 This story is basically told from two characters perspective: Elias and Laia. It goes from one chapter Elias and one chapter Laia, which I found it really nice. Personally I love both of the characters, so I really enjoyed reading from both of their perspective. I also enjoyed the characters growth in both of the characters, expecially Laia. She has really grown so much at the end compare to the beginning of the book. 
 This book basically starts out as our main female protagonist, Laia, lost her family, and her only family left, Darin, was captured and is waiting for execution. Laia, determined to save her brother from the execution, set out and try to find the resistance force, which is a force that oppose the empire. Which, of course, as it turns out, she successfully found them. And when the resistance force tells her that if she is willing to become a spy at the Blackcliff Military Academy, they will help her get her brother out of prison, she of course said yes. 
 At the same time, Elias, a student at the Blackcliff Military Academy, is planning to escape from the school on the day of graduation because he does not agree on what they are doing. However as things turns out, he ends up not being able to leave the school and must faces 4 trials of challenges with 3 other student to determine who will become the next empire. 
 Of course, the 2 main character soon crosses path: Laia, who is determined to save his only family left, and Elias, who is trying to figure out who he is and what true freedom is. And the two ended up helping each other out after all the misunderstandings are cleared. 
 I found this book very interesting and very engaging. I was hooked into this book from the very first page. Everything is fast past and kept you on board. Love it! Overall, I recommend everyone to read this book, so good!