Lin’s mission, to escort Aemun and his pregnant partner, Margaret, goes horribly wrong when Margaret is murdered shortly after giving birth.

Two people are in the room with the body: Aemun and a woman named Tylle, who he accuses of murdering Margaret and demands Lin execute her.

And that is only the start of Lin’s troubles!

This book has all the hallmarks of great epic fantasy: a tyrannic empire kidnapping children, conspiracies, blood-thirsty monsters and magic, and yet it delivers it all with a unique twist, and plenty of action.

My absolute favourite aspect of this book is the well-placed magic system. I love how it connects seamlessly (pun intended!) with the religious beliefs and sits right at the centre of all the political tensions between the different groups.

We follow the story from Lin’s POV as he deals with players from both sides of this complex board. His struggle between what he had been taught to be right, what he feels to be right and what looks right is very real in each page and we suffer as he suffers at each dark turn of the wheel. I really liked how human he is portrayed in this story.

I would like to have looked a bit more deeply into Tylle, as she is such an important character for Lin’s arc, and of course I’m #TeamLin&Tylle.

Needless to say, I hate Aemun. I really wanted to punch him very hard.

I’m looking forward to getting cracking on the second book (already in my Kindle!)

Fans of fantasy will be remiss not to add this book to their tbr!