I really, really, really wanted to love this. Dragons, and slight magic and unique world building were among the amazing things of this story. What I couldn't get over was the slow drag of Mira in the underground jail (for the life of me I can't even remember what it was called.) Yes there was emotional and physical abuse and I thought those were remarkably portrayed but the tempo of the book and the utterly confusing back and forth timeline really threw me for a loop. I ended up skimming from 80% on to know how it ends. (Which is to say, exciting, so there's hope yet for how the second book will go.) Also, Mira's portrayal of anxiety. 100% well done. One other thing I could have done without was the use of a new "time/date" system. It took me forever to really get the idea of what a decan was and such. It made it really hard to get into the story when I was constantly questioning the dates or holidays. I understand the use of a new system in a book like this, so I can't say I didn't hate it. I just wish it was better explained earlier on. 
 This is the first book by Jodi Meadows I have read and although this book wasn't "blow me away amazing" I still enjoyed it and her world building. I would definitely give the second book a try as well as her other works. (I can't write off Before She Ignites when I only skimmed the last 20% either since I am a super picky/quick to DNF reader. Overall it was enjoyable.)