I find myself conflicted on this one.
On the one hand, the preview does give plenty to make me want to find out how the plot plays out and how our protagonist learns her magic and all that.
On the other hand, the description promised something different than standard for the setting and, while I know nothing about North Africa or the myths and customs that could be pulled from for the story, the vampiric Bloodkin and the fair folk wondering around kind of made the section we got feel super generic.
The protagonist being super conflicted about her dangerous and terrifying magic and hating the Rival Heir customs that would require her to fight her own sister to the death didn't really help with that.
The tattoo magic was a cool idea though. I would love to see more of that and the symbolism behind it as part of the world building. I'd also love to see more of the world building, because I'm guessing that the setting will round out the further in you read.
On the one hand, the preview does give plenty to make me want to find out how the plot plays out and how our protagonist learns her magic and all that.
On the other hand, the description promised something different than standard for the setting and, while I know nothing about North Africa or the myths and customs that could be pulled from for the story, the vampiric Bloodkin and the fair folk wondering around kind of made the section we got feel super generic.
The protagonist being super conflicted about her dangerous and terrifying magic and hating the Rival Heir customs that would require her to fight her own sister to the death didn't really help with that.
The tattoo magic was a cool idea though. I would love to see more of that and the symbolism behind it as part of the world building. I'd also love to see more of the world building, because I'm guessing that the setting will round out the further in you read.