Anji is an orphaned servant who shoved a letter opener through the king’s throat. Then she is captured by the Hawk, one of the most hardened warriors in the world for a large bounty to be executed.

I liked Anji - she was cheeky and doesn’t know when to shut up. The best predicament for a captive and an old woman who just wants to collect her bounty and maybe not get killed by fellow hunters.

<b>“This isn’t a gods-damned story, you stupid girl! You think a little suffering makes you innocent? You think you’ve earned something? What good is your pain if you learn nothing from it?”
</b>
What hampered my enjoyment was that this was primarily a travel book which I always find gets too repetitive for me. Travel, horse interaction, event, travel.
I never felt an emotional connection to the characters and Anji started to get on my nerves and I love a chatty heroine usually.

There was magic, drugs that turn you into creatures but I could just never visualise anything as nothing was properly explained.

The prose was simple so it was quick to read, but to me, the reveals were obvious so it felt like I was plodding through just to reach the end.
Whilst my my predictions were right, we then get the ending. BAM and I was not expecting that.
I have to admit it was cleverly done and book two can take a whole new direction and tone.

Arc gifted by Titan books.