The worldbuilding in this novel was top notch. It's tough to make a world with different cultures feel authentic and lived in, and to show how an oppressed people survives and maintains their culture when dominated by another ethnicity and culture. I can tell this world started as a TTRPG setting by very devoted and thorough GMs.

Halfway the novel pivots from political drama with romance elements in a fantasy setting to a magical action thriller. It was a little jarring. But the political half was weaker than the action half so I was glad for the change. For example, one of Ren's early schemes comes together mostly in the background; it felt like the novel was telling me to be impressed with her acumen and skill without showing her doing the legwork. I actually flipped back to make sure I hadn't missed anything, and no. It just happened and then was explained after. Minor gripe, didn't detract from the rest of the novel.