I am in awe of just how many characters in this book are not likable. Stefanie Kay does a brilliant job with her delivery and brings uniqueness to every character she plays in this book, but sadly, she wasn’t given a very good cast to work with.
The main character is the worst offender, or perhaps it only seems that way because of the attention she is shown, but either way, I just can’t listen to her any more. Her one strength, the trait of hers that is supposed to set her apart from her peers, the thing that has been praised multiple times throughout the book, is her intelligence. However, she seems incapable of rational thought. She knows things, granted, she seems to forget them when under the slightest bit of pressure, but she knows them. That, however, makes her knowledgeable, not intelligent. Knowledge without the ability to process that knowledge makes her a book, and, like the one she is heroine of, not a very good one. Her other “positive” trait is her bravery, she doesn’t hesitate to confront her problems. However, with her lack of thought processes, it just ends up turning into her running headfirst into confrontations and relying on other people to save her. And she doesn’t have the decency to even reflect upon what those situations *could* have taught her. She’s prideful but deserves none of it. At the very least, the other unlikable characters around her have some ability to back up their arrogance.
Rhyan is actually a good fighter, and has some kindness in his heart. However, that kindness is reserved entirely for Lyr, despite having not seen her for years (Don’t even get me started on how much Lyr thinks with her genitalia when it comes to him). Synopsis was a bit misleading though. I was under the impression that Lyr having “loved him since she was a little girl” meant that he was an adult soldier when she was young that she had an innocent crush on. That she’s been pining for him but couldn’t because of the difference in age and station, but the book would start when she is an adult slated to be his apprentice. They had a run in with each other as a couple of horny teens. He isn’t mentioned at all in the book and then suddenly, after he appears, she’s always loved him, and has been dreaming about him for years now. I thought I was getting into a romance with actual build up and tension, and it’s just blatantly forced into my face. I don’t like him because of how much he’s into Lyr. Why does he have this attachment towards her when they had one moment years ago? He’s kinda been through a lot and should have more important things on his mind. And yet, it’s all about Lyr.
The overt antagonists are bad people, which is fine, they are supposed to not be likable. I would hope that one of them shows a bit of complexity, but I DNF, so I’ll never know.
The secret antagonists are interesting, shame that Lyr couldn’t process enough information to figure out more about them before I quit. They aren’t enough to get me to finish the book.
Her ‘friends’ are mostly alright, not quite enough words for them to leave an impression either way. They are mostly just vehicles for advancement or exposition.
Tristan is actually one of the characters I do like. Man suffered a trauma and has developed a severe prejudice because of it. It’s a negative trait, yes, but one with a source that anyone can sympathize with. It puts him at odds with Lyr, and it’s one of the dynamics of the book I actually wanted to see explored. His other traits, are actually fairly good. He loves Lyr, but I can understand and accept why. They have had the time to develop such a bond, and, for whatever reason, he chose her.
Her peers, despite all being 19+ years of age, act like they are 15. “Oh, how dare I get punished for assaulting you. That’s obviously your fault, so I’m going to hate you more now.” I don’t know, with most of these characters, I feel like this book *wanted* to be a high school drama, but aged them up so they can be spicy.