*SPOILERERY SCENES AHEAD*
This book had me hooked right from the first page. The world was easy to fall into and the tension just kept building. Rune is a witch in hiding, living in a brutal society where people like her are killed without mercy. She’s already seen what happens when witches are exposed and she’s not about to let that happen again. But standing in her way is Gideon, the captain of the Blood Guard and one of the most dangerous witch hunters around. It’s a classic enemies-to-lovers setup, but one that actually feels real. They genuinely hate each other at the start and both have strong reasons to.
The slow burn between Rune and Gideon had me absolutely stressed in the best way. They’re constantly outsmarting each other and trying to stay one step ahead. The stakes are high, the danger is real and the tension is delicious. Every time they were on the page together, I was holding my breath. There’s a real push and pull between them that kept me guessing. And when things take a turn… yeah, I wasn’t okay. That betrayal scene ruined me.
I also really loved the way the magic system worked. It wasn’t just there for convenience. There were rules, limits and consequences, which made it all feel more believable. It’s rare to see a hard magic system in fantasy romance, especially in YA, but it was done really well here. The whole story had this tight structure and clear boundaries that just made the plot and characters shine even more.
Rune herself was such a standout. She’s strong, clever and has so much heart. Even when things were falling apart, she never gave up. And Gideon, as frustrating as he was, had so much depth. I couldn’t decide whether to trust him or scream at him and that made him so interesting to read. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did, but it delivered on every front.
⭐️4/5 stars I need to pick up the sequel ASAP!
