Once I got past the explanation of all of the different houses and warring groups of vampires, I was completely drawn in by the Kejari trials themselves and the competitors’ preparations for them. I loved the way Oraya and Raihn battled one another with their banter, humor and anger and just generally were challenging one another every step of the way, all while somehow learning and understanding one another better than anyone else.

This book was just as enjoyable as everyone said it was. Sometimes I shy away from fantasy because I don't have the energy to dive into a whole new world but this story drops you right into the action and gives bits and pieces of the fantasy world as you need them, so there's no lengthy build-up but you also don't feel confused. It's VERY fast-paced so I didn't mind one bit that it was over 500 pages. Honestly, I wish it were longer! As I was reading this, I felt the same way I remember feeling my first time reading Hunger Games. I was enamored with the world.