I want to start by saying this book took a really long time for me to read. I kept trying to get into it but, the first half was extremely slow for me. Also, one of my biggest pet peeves with a book is when there are so many really off the wall names. While I do understand the story is taking place on another planet, in the first few chapters I was completely overwhelmed trying to keep track of the number of characters and the names that were so similar making it so hard to remember who was who. I wish I had a scorecard or had taken notes. I kept having to go back to try to figure out who people were again. Then later in the second half when the story finally started to pick up, some of the names I had finally learned changed. Ori became Orieve and her last name changed. Then we added a mystery twin that wasn't mentioned previously too. It was just too much confusion where it wasn't necessary in my opinion.
I like that in Sarah J. Maas books we have a list of the names and pronunciations in the back to help keep track and make sure you are saying them correctly. While this book does have a glossary, it didn't list the names. I realize I am going on about this, but it made the book so difficult for me to keep up with that I almost DNF it a couple of times. I am glad I stuck with it though because the second half finally picked up the pace and the few lighthearted and almost comical moments between our main characters became slightly more frequent. Those moments really helped to make the characters more likeable and not so dark and depressing all the time. To see them be able to joke with each other was very nice and I wish a bit more of those moments had been sprinkled throughout the story.
Overall, I would definitely read the second book to find out where the story goes from here because no issues or mysteries were resolved in this installment despite the length. I feel like this book could have been a lot shorter and a lot less complicated. It may be one of those situations where this is all necessary to set up for a much bigger plot, but it felt forced and slow to me. Maybe I am still processing how I feel about this one because on one hand I found it incredibly frustrating and on the other hand I would pick up the second book right now to continue. This one was a mixed bag for me.
I also have read about some of the issues people are finding with this book as far as racial stereotypes, how it deals with chronic pain and the issue of cutting their arms. I am sensitive to those issues and it did occur to me while reading that they may be touchy for some people to read. Again, this one was an odd one for me. I would say if those things do not bother you and you are excellent at keeping up with a large cast of characters all with very difficult to pronounce or remember names, then by all means pick this up. However, if any of those issues are subjects you may be more sensitive to or you want something easy to follow or fast paced, this may not be the book for you.
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