Synopsis
She rides to claim her fate, he flies to burn it down.
As the only woman in the Moontouched Brotherhood, Tani studies on the haughty island of Eavenfold surrounded by men who see her as an ill omen at best. Her Fate Ceremony is only days away, offering five possible escapes from the storm-locked island, but each with their own consequences.
Lang, an insubordinate Crown Prince, holds the reins to one of the few true dragons left in the world. Sent to Eavenfold on a diplomatic mission by his warmongering father, he watches as the Brothers bestow a rare and unwanted Marriage Fate on Tani. Already her touch magic alarms him, but if she succeeds and marries the victor of the upcoming tournament, her power could topple empires.
They both arrive at the games. Her, to claim her Fate. Him, to destroy it by any means possible.
Review
I want a baby dragon, please.
If you loved The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig, you will love this.
Tani is the only woman in the Moontouched Brotherhood, spurned and doomed. In her Fate Ceremony, which determines five possible futures, powers, and a means of escape from the isolated island.
Only, she gets the unwanted Marriage Fate tied to the victor of the upcoming tournament held by the royals.
Lang, the disobedient Crown Prince, is bonded to one of the only dragons left in the world. He knows about Tani’s touch power, allowing her to sense emotions, which makes her an incredibly powerful ally or enemy.
Not only is there a strong friendship, a very complicated relationship between Tani and the Prince (enemies to lovers? Reluctant allies? Banter buddies? Secret keepers?), there’s a wolf, a dragon, and intriguing world-building with different cultures.
Both perspectives are in first person, and whilst Tani is the strongest, I loved jumping between the two to see their inner thoughts.
He had said he would not dance with me, but this was as much a dance as any. We skirted around words, implications and desires. It was easier to flirt with him, I told myself, when he was as agreeable and attractive as he was on this night. When I allowed the wine to dull me from his crimes against me.
The tension is high-strung, and, whilst the plot reveals are predictable, you won’t mind because you just want to read how the characters react to it.
So much happens, and yet you will never truly feel lost.
It is powerful and romantic (kinda) and magical.
(I joked I could finish this in a day, and I did. Easily. I couldn’t put it down.)
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