So overall, I had a very mixed experience with this book, but I'm not sure how much of that is just on me. (I listened to the audiobook and am guessing on some of the name spelling, forgive me) Together, the two women must overcome their enemies, their history, and their heartbreak in order to secure Luca's power and Touraine's freedom. And, even more importantly, if Luca won't keep her promises, the Qazali could end up right back where they started. However, she soon realizes that leading a country and leading a revolution are two very different tasks. Touraine has found a home in the newly free country of Qazal. When he calls for a 'Trial of Competence' and Luca's allies start disappearing from her side, she will have to prove her might. Luca needs to oust her uncle from the Balladairan throne once and for all and take her rightful place as Queen. But undoing the tangled web that binds the two nations won't be easy, and Touraine and Luca will face their greatest challenge yet.

The rebels have won, and the empire is withdrawing from Qazal. Recommended if you like: women with strong arms, anti-colonial fantasy, slowly (no really it takes a while!) rediscovering long-lost magic, f/f enemies to 'it's complicated' to lovers, queernormative worldbuilding, several courtly assassination attempts and a bunch of dramtically fought duels, royal succession conflict, handsome ladies all around

The faithless cl clark