Torn

I want preface this review by saying I really wanted to like this book. It had an interesting concept and an imperfect protagonist. I also appreciated that the focus was on sewing and the character was allowed succeed without becoming Buffy. Also the cover art is swoon.
Unfortunately, this book had a lot of problems. I'm hoping the sequels solve at least some of them. These problems include:
* Not thinking through the politics enough. If you are going to make politics a central theme they need to be fleshed out and believable in terms of human nature.
* Certain aspects of romance felt like they went to0 fast and the protag caught damsel syndrome when I wanted her to be awesome instead. She flip flops on things that are supposedly significant to her.
* The magic system was okay but as one reviewer mentioned, one particular person gaining powers was just...annoying.