About 98% of this book is the protagonist being brutalised/victimised so this isn't a read if you're looking for something empowering.

A good fantasy read, especially if you like dragons and well-formed characters. While I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and look forward to the next one, I do think the time jumps in-between chapters were unnecessary. The storyline was good enough that it could have easily been in chronological order.

Mira Minkoba knows something that she shouldn’t. It is something that threatens the peace treaty between the islands. The peace treaty which bears her name. For this reason, this young woman gets condemned to the Pit, the place where the worst offenders are sent, and it is there that her metal gets tested. The question of “what Mira knows” hooks us right from the start, and is wisely left unanswered until we get to know this individual. Mira is not a heroine in the traditional sense, but she is undoubtedly heroic, struggling to overcome her own fears, limitations, and oppressors as best she can. Her voice draws you in because of her endearing quirks, her realistic doubts, and the great strides she takes as she grows. For one, Mira starts off by constantly thinking about what others would say or do, it is only later that she is able to think about what she wants and needs to do. This transformation from seeing herself as worthless to seeing her value is slow, and not yet complete, but by the end of the book she is no longer the sheltered or restricted young lady that we first met. Meadows’ writing is superb, although it is too brisk at times. Mira slowly adds to our understanding of the world through her observations, and interactions with others. The mythos, politics, and peoples of the islands get fleshed out as the story progresses. Those she meets are fascinating characters in themselves, and their stories are only hinted at. A lot of backstory is given to us through regularly spaced flashbacks to events in Mira’s life. These are essential for defining her character, and the world outside, because for most of the “present” she is imprisoned in the Pit. A brilliant start, with a wonderfully defined world, and an engaging cast. More please!

Character growth is what I love in books, and this one has it in spades. Mira is pampered and spoiled but also used and belittled when she enters the Pit. Her self-discovery and survival in horrible circumstances bring out who she really is underneath it all. All of that built into an intriguing world dealing with prejudice and treachery made for a great read. Plus, there were dragons!