Even when dead you can see how much meeting Annis and Agrath has motivated Ileth. The next big mention of them is at the betrothal party where Ileth confesses that she often told herself the story that Annis was actually her mom and let me tell you that scene hit me like a ton of bricks (especially in audiobook form) I personally felt so awkward and sad as if I was also sitting at the party. Finding out that Annis was shot out of the sky during the war and Agrath died trying to retrieve her body was extremely sad but such a noble ending for what seemed like an amazing friendship.I personally think it was an amazing idea to have Ileth wait more than a week outside the red door hoping to get into the academy. It would have been so easy to have her arrive early and struggle with all the other kids to be officially approved as novices but seeing her fight a battle on her own struggling through rain, sickness, and hunger endeared her to me extremely quick. I felt really bad for her calling though the door, being ignored, and having to scrounge up snails to eat but I loved her will and determination to wait for even a chance to be accepted. I rooted for her so much and was extremely proud of her for just entering a door. It also allowed for some world building because it showed how strict and hard the academy is but also showed how much they respected strong will and determination.I love the Academy and the Master of Novices but the school is severely lacking in making sure that their students are safe. They pair this 14 year old girl with a bully of a man who sexually harasses her and before the duel they talk to her showing that they are aware of his horrible behavior but does not stop it. It goes so far as him almost dunking her in hot soup and drawing blood but the school does nothing she has to challenge him to a duel herself. The duel was great though I'm happy that she didn't technically win because it would feel forced that she would beat a man twice her size without more training I liked that it was close though. I loved how his second (a female apprentice who didn't even like him) was the one to tackle him to the ground and bite off his ear. I could just imagine the scene - Ileth with a sword in her hand raised to the mans neck and next to her another female who's face has blood on it. I also liked that she was acknowledged and given a dragon whistle.Let me tell you when this girl got kicked out of her dormitory because a boy doesn't understand that a yes to kissing doesn't mean yes to sex got me extremely mad. Ileth went from waking up thinking she was going to die, then being freed from her tormentor, seen as a hero of sorts, only to be labeled a slut and a whore before the day is over. I had actually liked 'Rich Apple' especially since he defended her and offered to duel in her place but yikes he is a 17 year old boy who thinks it's fine to kiss and then immediately try to have sex with a 14 year old IN A STABLE. He slightly redeemed himself when he immediately proposed a marriage to save her appearances but let's be real here he knew what he was doing and the consequences she would face. I do think that he grows to like her as the book goes on but I hope he does not become an actual love interest.Even though why she becomes a dancer sucks actually being a dancer is the best position Ileth can be in. Throughout the book is mentioned here and there how her dancer is making her stronger, more muscular, limber, and how that helps in her becoming a better rider (even though dancers never really become dragoneers). Her being a dancer allows her to be in more proximity to dragons and that is how she meets 'The Lodger'. I'm not even going to get much into their relationship all I can say is that I cried like a baby. The voice actor did an amazing voice break "GODS" and I STARTED WEEPING! That entire scene/ chapter was great and then I learned about the music box and stared to tear up again.Throughout the story we meet quite a bit of dragons and it remains a guessing game as to who she will be officially paired with...but...one of her gift is a tool for dragons that people stopped using because it could injure dragons... but not every dragon only dragons with scales! There is a grey scaleless dragon at the academy who rather recently broke out his wings and does not have a partner yet. At the end of the book Ileth even rides on him and based on how it was written I honestly think he is a top contender and really hope that their relationship solidifies in the next books.Not much to say about her time as a prisoner of war but I really hope that there is some mention of the family in the later books I actually quite liked them. It was rather great and subtle world building though. We got to learn about the enemy and the tribes. The scene where they go to save her was also great "From now on this day shall be my birthday". I hope that Ileth's title comes back into play later on.I wonder why he betrayed them and killed the dragoneer who stayed with him for all those years.