About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered a reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace, and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia, Valek. And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust, and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.
We see the story from Yelena's point of view. She murdered General Brazell’s only son, Reyad, which is punished by death. Living in the territory of Ixia’s, military rule had produced strict laws called the Code of Behavior. During peacetime, proper military conduct does not allow the taking of a human life. If murder was committed, the punishment was execution. Of course we learn the nightmare she lived in Brazell's orphanage
As Yelena tries to escape her dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and she develops magical powers she can't control. Her life’s at stake again and choices must be made. We are introduced to many interesting characters in this complex novel in which politics and fantasy are interwoven.
Two more are in this interesting series. Can't wait to try them out.
Magic Study
Fire Study