This had all the basic necessary elements of a story: plot, characters, world building. It had all the hallmarks of YA Fantasy: romance, backstory, magic. There was nothing stunning. Some dragons, some healing powers, some fight scenes, some insanity, a prophecy or two. I didn't like Darling. I didn't hate her either. She's a fighter, but she's ready for peace. Her family's dead, but she's been adopted. She was kind of like Katniss without angst. Her character didn't really commit to a single stereotype, but she still wasn't a unique, complex character. Talon had the same problem. He was responsible, but not very cunning, and he dealt with too much court politics for that to work out well for him. I got bored. Their romance wasn't instalove, but there wasn't much buildup either. Talon and Darling both like each other from the get-go, they just don't realize it. At one point Darling thinks, "Why am I not disgusted by the thought of kissing Talon?" And she's had about two conversations with him.
The plot was meh. It didn't work as a Romeo and Juliet because Romeo and Juliet are supposed to be helpless; victims of circumstance. Talon and Darling have an extraordinary amount of control over their lives. There was also some court politics, conspiracies, prophecies, plot twists. Nothing really surprised me. Meh.
The plot was meh. It didn't work as a Romeo and Juliet because Romeo and Juliet are supposed to be helpless; victims of circumstance. Talon and Darling have an extraordinary amount of control over their lives. There was also some court politics, conspiracies, prophecies, plot twists. Nothing really surprised me. Meh.