Action and a Glimpse of an Intricate and Intriguing World

It has been some time since I’ve read a book that opened with such rapid-paced action, and even longer since I’ve seen it done so expertly. Debut author Ryan Van Loan manages to start her story with intense action: a confrontation turned suddenly and inexplicably lethal, and the only two survivors, Buc and Eld- the protagonists of the story- on their way to be executed. Somehow within twenty or so pages, and amidst the action, we are given a good idea of both how fully developed the characters are, and how intricate the world building. This is definitely the kind of debut that I want to see on my shelf (after I have vociferously read it from cover to cover in less than a week, of course)!