Overall, four stars.
Hook, five stars.
The tension lies in Meryn’s transition from a public warrior to a desperate protector against a predatory system that has already claimed several children. This shift creates an immediate, high-stakes urgency: she is no longer fighting for coin or glory, but for her sister’s life against the “Nabbers,” who represent a looming, visceral threat.
Writing Style, three stars.
The prose frequently relies on labels rather than rendering; “rotting fruit,” “stench of urine,” and “pungent medicine” are condition-labels that tell us what is present without painting a sensory picture. Additionally, while Meryn’s physical capabilities are clear, the lack of specific facial features or hair color makes her feel like a voice in a void rather than a fully realized presence. The narrative also leans on “telling” to establish character, such as describing Leesa’s personality through a list of traits rather than through action.
Standout Passage.
The moment Meryn observes how her opponent fails to understand “how lethal grace can be.” It perfectly captures the irony of her existence—the vast gulf between the crowd’s perception of her as a vulnerable girl and her reality as a precise, calculated instrument of violence.