*I received an audio copy of this book via NetGalley. This has not influenced my review.*

I enjoyed this, despite some pacing issues.

This was a bit slow at first, but it started to pick up about halfway through and captured my attention more. Then it got a bit slow again, but then it picked up again near the end.

I liked the characters! Max was determined. To live, to save his parents, to stop the bad people, to save the good. I can’t blame him for struggling at times, for not being perfect, for wanting distractions, what with all the trauma he was going through. Camron (the husband) was fierce and immediately protective of Max, in the sense that he wanted him to be freed from his figurative chains. Simion (the spy) made Max feel seen and not alone when no one else did, but he was also quick-tempered and a bit of a mystery. Beatrice (the best friend) was supportive but secretive.

There were some pretty fast “I’d do anything for you” kinda feelings, but there was also definitely chemistry. And this was only the start of the romance, since this is a series.

The world had magic, dryads, dragons, and other fantastical creatures. Some lore. Not too much politics though, despite the whole thing about replacing a prince.

The audiobook narration by Ewan Goddard was great! He sounded natural, he suited the main character well, and every character sounded different enough to tell them apart.

This is a hard book to review because I feel like I’ll spoil things if I say too much. So I think I’ll leave it there and say, overall, despite some slowness, I enjoyed this, and I’d like to know what will happen next!

*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2023 // Format: Audiobook*