First off, I won an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this novel in an Instagram giveaway hosted by the author, Lauren Mansy, herself.  I was SOOO pumped to see my name was drawn!  And am even more so by the wowness of this story.  I LOVED this book.

Etta is so very relatable.  I LOVED Reid from the beginning!!  As well as all the rest of the characters, and wanted to slap those deserving of slapping, but then hug them because I learned why they were so slap-worthy.  (Did that make any sense?)  The story world was so very intriguing.  I enjoyed the thought of the different realms, each governed by a ruler, and each responsible for different trades that make up the commerce of a nation (i.e. one realm taught the arts, such as painting, singing, & dancing; another was responsible for mathematics, sciences, & histories; one was the center trading post of four realms; and the final was responsible for all military training.).  The writing style---first person---which most everyone who's read my little blog knows is not exactly a favorite of mine, was so well written that I felt EVERY emotion.  No lie.  I'm pretty sure I nearly cried a time or two. . .

The mind is an amazing & powerful thing, and I especially love how that is portrayed in this novel.  People in the four realms are either born with a special ability, a Gift, or not, Ungifted.  The Gifts allow those in possession of that ability to take and/or transfer memories to themselves or others---for good or evil purposes.  That memory would then cease to exist in their own minds, and often this is does as a transaction or currency---though it wasn't always like that in the realms.  To pay in memories can be a hefty price, and one many people suffer for.

All that said, I was hooked from the beginning, and I truly believe this is an amazing debut by Lauren!  I need MORE.

None in relation to any kind of deity or God Himself.  There may have been a moment where a character prays for protection or something of the sort, but there's no specification as to Who he/she prays to.

Taking memories from someone can lead to a gruesome & painful death.  At a Memory Auction, we experience so-called 'criminals' chained to a chair before a large crowd & their memories sold to the highest bidder.  Having their memories & minds sifted through so quickly leads to their deaths, their eyes go white and blood comes from the nose.

An asylum treats a myriad of patients who've gone insane from using their Gift far too often or are comatose due to other reasons.

Minders, the soldiers of the realms, basically fight mental & physical battles, using their uniques gifts to destroy their opponents/adversaries' minds.  If among the Gifted, you could steal the memory of a fighting technique and instantly become a master of that particular art.

Despite the entire gist of this tale to revolve around the mind, battles are fought with physical viciousness, with sword, bow & arrow, knife, etc.  Characters are stabbed, cut, slashed, bruised, etc. etc.  Other people are captured & chained or thrown into horrific prisons.

A place known as the Maze is where the cruel tyrant of Craewick sends the less fortunate criminals.  There, their minds are literally torn apart until they go mad & die.  It is also home to vicious booby traps & unthinkable dangers.

None.  This novel is totally clean of any foul language! SUCH a marvelous relief to find in an unknown/debuting novel.  Because of this little fact, I enjoyed this tale immensely.

Not much in the way of alcohol or drugs.  A compound made from herbs & flowers is used for the healing process.  Characters spread it as a cream over wounds to help heal & take away pain.  A special liquid is also consumed for the same purpose.

There's a slow-budding romance between Etta & Reid.  It was so very sweet (SPOILERRRRR & heartbreaking) at times to experience!  No sensuality or unnecessary steamy-ness in any way.  They seem to come to care for one another due to their characters & personalities, their strengths & weaknesses.  They share at least one tender kiss.  At one point, Reid's shirt comes off to tend to a nasty wound on his back.

All in all, this little review should give you the gist of what this tale is about.  But honestly, there's SO MUCH MORE I could add, but I don't want to give anything away because SERIOUSLY, YOU SHOULD JUST READ THIS.  I highly recommend this book!!!