I don’t even know where to begin. I was literally screaming at the last few pages. This is a stunning Norse inspired romantasy set in a unique world with magic based in blood and bones. 

LJ Andrews is some sort of romantasy magician. I’ll admit, the beginning was a little slow. I was almost afraid it would follow the typical romantasy formula. NOPE!! This book was amazing. You think you have it figured out, but you really don’t - which, in my humble opinion, are signs of a fantastic story. 

Lyra Bien is a melder, someone who holds immense magical power in a world where magical power is sparse and coveted. She hides her identity as a melder by hiding the scars in her eyes, or at least she does until she is found by Prince Thane’s Sentry, Roark Ashwood. She is to be the King’s melder. She must fight to find a way to free herself and her friends all the while battling new and unseen forces. 

The world building is immaculate. The character-building is extensive. I was crying for characters before I even hit the halfway mark of the book. LJ Andrews does the found family trope right- slowly and with lots of angst. There was so much yearning between lovers. The banter between all of the characters had me laughing out loud. All the twists and turns of the last 10% of the book had me shirking all my responsibilities just so I could find out what happens next. 

I cannot thank Berkley enough for the advanced egalley. I will be screaming about this book for years to come. I hope I don’t have to wait for the second book long after this one releases in April.