Luca grows interested in Shālan religion and magic, knowing that openly supporting these concepts would not be accepted in Balladaire.

Worried that the Sands will bear the brunt of any violence, Touraine betrays Luca to the Balladairan military leader, General Cantic.

[4] Publishers Weekly gave the novel a starred review, calling it "a captivating story that works both as high fantasy and skillful cultural commentary".

[3] Library Journal gave the novel a starred review, praising it for its strong worldbuilding as well as its themes of racism, colonization, and military conscription.

[5] Writing for Locus, Maya Clark praised Touraine's slow character development and the satisfying way in which she unlearns her Balladairan social conditionings.

She also praised the moral grayness of the novel, writing that Clark "masterfully engages all actors and viewpoints within this complex web of power".

[4] A review in Lightspeed praised the complex romantic relationship between Luca and Touraine, including the author's exploration of disability, healing magic, and religion.

[6] A review in Strange Horizons praised the novel's "engaging, subversive characters" and exploration of colonialism, while noting that the pacing was "a little odd around the midpoint and ending".