Rounded up from 3.5. I loved the beginning, did not enjoy the middle, and loved the ending. Beautiful setting and action packed. (Loved the author's note at the end, too)

Format: audiobook 🎧 | 🎙️: Bahni Turpin | Genre: West-African Inspired Teen Fantasy 🐆💫 | 📍 Tropes/Themes: Majis & Royals; Swords & Mysticism; Forbidden Love Subplot; Multiple 1st Person POV | ⚠️CW: fatmisia and body shaming, racism & racial slurs, slavery, skin lightening, murder, attempted rape, threats of rape, child abuse, domestic violence, self-harm, death of a parent recounted, on page death of a friend, torture, kidnapping, war themes | 🔥: 💖 | 💭Thoughts: | I was enraptured with this story. I already know I’m gonna be thinking about it for weeks to come… | This book had everything: Magic, Swords, Giant animals, War, Dancing, Child Leaders, Joy, Sorrow, Young love, Deep betrayal, and a gotdang Cliffhanger! I cannot wait to join Bahni Turpin back in Orïsha soon