Rating: 4 out of 5.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and enjoyed it. Sorrell is an outcast in the small village she’s lived in her entire life. She’s got magical abilities that everyone pretends she doesn’t. Events occur that force her to flee her small town and seek out a destiny she never knew she had. She makes a deal with a handsome mercenary, Merc, to help her on her quest. He’s got his own reasons for accepting her offer, and together they make a good team.

The book has a slow but steady pace and the author provides worldbuilding throughout the story. Sorrell has made herself small her entire life and it was great to see her grow as the story unfolds. I love her inner strength and her determination to help people in need, particularly women, made her super fierce. Her feelings about Merc are complicated and her yearning for the closeness she’s been denied her whole life was sad to read. As her journey continues and she starts to come into her own, you can feel the shift in her confidence.

The destiny Sorrell must face was a bit confusing, but I think part of the reason for this was because I was listening to the book rather than reading it. There are plenty of bad guys to defeat and obstacles to overcome, but that’s the best part of quest books. The book ends on a big cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I listened to the audio of this book and the narrators did a great job. Their inflections, varying voices for different characters, and emotions brought the story to life. They were able to build tension and excitement and made the book much more enjoyable to read.

I received a complimentary audiobook from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.