Violet has been training her whole life to become a scribe, but her mother, the commanding general, forces her into the riders quadrant. Now she has to survive with a target on her back because she is small and fragile, but also because her mother is responsible for the deaths of many of the cadets parents. Only the strongest and smartest will survive at Basgiath War College. 

It is giving mix of Game of Thrones, Divergent, and Hunger Games. This theme is one that we have seen quite a bit, but this book is SO GOOD. The world building and characters were so interesting and well crafted. I was on the edge of my seat one minute and crying the next. That ending, blew my mind. I was not expecting that at all. 

The dragons were a huge highlight for me. I LOVED that we got inside the minds of these creatures. I especially enjoyed the contrast and relationship between Tairn and Andarna. I really appreciated that the dragons were highly respected and not just treated as a weapon. I loved the concept of the dragon chose it's rider and that a rider and dragon were bonded to each other. Their bond was so vast and emotional. The dragons even had their own laws and politics, it was very interesting to read. 

Violet is an unexpected badass.  Physically she is weaker and smaller than all of the other cadets, but she is extremely smart and strategic. She is a complex and flawed heroine. She is incredibly courageous and fights with everything she has. I loved the relationships she forms with her fellow cadets, especially Rhi and Liam. They became each other's family and protected each other with everything they had. 

Xaden is the son of a traitor and is out for revenge. He comes off a scary and cruel, but deep down he is incredibly protective and caring. He watches over the marked ones and has sacrificed so much for them. This is a true enemies to lovers. What he feels for Violet is so intense and he doesn't know how to handle it, after all, her mother killed his father. He is supposed to hate her, not want her. 

I wish this had been a dual POV for the whole book so that we could have seen more from Xaden's perspective. I would have loved to read his thoughts while he worked through his feelings for Violet. 

Also Dain is the worst. 

Yes, parts were a little predicable and some of the descriptions we get of Xander by Violet came off as a little immature at times, but I didn't feel like it took anything away from the book. I was still fully sucked into this world and cannot wait for book 2. 

Tropes: enemies to lovers, found family, fantasy (dragons), slow burn, forced proximity.