SYNOPSIS

Ikenna lost her grandfather, the Legatus Commander, a few months before graduating from the Academy. Grief-stricken at his unexpected loss, she decides to put on hold their dream of her becoming a Praetorian, a special ops soldier. When an old family friend says he suspects her grandfather was murdered by his second in command, she decides to go through with becoming a Praetorian and enters the blood trials, hoping to gather evidence against who killed her grandfather and why. What could possibly happen?

RECAP AND REVIEW

This book is told in the first person perspective of Ikenna. It’s a mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery and is action packed from beginning to end. There isn’t real romance in the book, though there are mentions of sex and physical attraction.

There’s a lot going on in the world. It could just be me, but it took me until the middle of the story to have a real understanding of the history of the world, which is relevant to the story. There’s context clues that made it easier to follow, but by terms alone, I was getting concepts mixed up.

Ikenna is othered because she’s not a full blooded Mareenian; she’s half Khanaian. She is also related to the first Khanaian Legatus Commander, who has a dream of peace and changing systemic issues within the Republic. And on top of these things, she also has a blood gift, which speeds her healing and more. She has to keep this a secret, even from her two best friends, because of people’s fear about the power and the history of the blood gifts.

This book was a wild ride. I found myself reacting out loud, which I don’t do often. I was stressed out reading it, which is a testament to how invested I became. The trials they experienced read like scenes in a movie. They were savage and brutal. I couldn’t believe what they went through.

Ikenna is strong, hot headed, stubborn, clever, and a natural born leader. The events Ikenna experienced were wild; she couldn’t catch a break. I can’t get into it without spoiling, but just know Ikenna is a fighter and following this story with her was a trip.

The end was shattering. A few of the reveals I saw coming, but the way things unfolded I never would’ve guessed. I also never would’ve guessed what happened and why to her grandfather.

The side characters all served a purpose and served it well. They show us no one, including government officials, can be trusted. They show how brutal war can be. They show how deep hatred runs and even how persuasive Ikenna can be, without her powers.

OVERALL

Overall, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. This book was everything I wanted and more. I have yet to read a book like this. There are so many layers and themes running throughout it. It’s been a few days since I finished and I’m having trouble focusing on any other book right now. I look forward to reading what happens next.