4.5/5

For fans of: fantasy, NA fantasy, political marriage, arranged marriage, enemies-to-lovers, assassins, spies, political intrigue, island settings, sea settings

Synopsis: Lara was raised to kill a king. Aren was raised to marry his enemy. Both are hellbent on doing right by their people. The world around them cannot function without the Bridge, a mammoth structure that both connects and divides the world. Whoever controls the Bridge controls the fate of millions and everyone wants it enough to kill for it.

Review: This story checks off almost every single one of my favourite fantasy and romance tropes. It’s got enemies-to-lovers, political intrigue, assassination attempts, backstabbing, arranged marriage, and unique world building. Lara and Aren are quickly becoming my favourite couple and their clashing personalities make everything zing. Lara is a cold and calculating queen with a massive heart for her people. This, however, makes it difficult to see the truth when it is right in front of her. She trusts no one and rightfully so, but she can’t stand by when injustice is happening around her no matter who they are. Aren is equally fierce in his love for his people and his desire to see them become so much more. He wants his people to change for the better and not allow their prejudices to keep them from growing even when time and again, the world proves them correct. Their relationship is a tough one and their growing fondness for each other just has me squealing even when, predictably, it all falls apart. This doesn’t even touch on the plot and politics of this book, which has way more than I expected. The pieces on the chessboard are moving and for sure this will not bode well for anyone. I already have the second book ready to go and I can’t wait to dive in.