Honestly, I started reading this book with low expectations—and was pleasantly surprised. The story slowly pulled me in, and then in my favourite chapter (Chapter 13) the plot twists, and then I decide that I must finish the book. Kemmerer does a great job bringing us through the story. It reminds me of something that Victor Frankl said (I don't think he's creator of the quote but he mentioned it) , "The line between good and evil is not between us and them, flows through the heart of every individual."

The story revolves around Tessa, an apothecary's daughter who's parents were killed because they were caught smuggling moonlight petals that had the capacity to facilitate recovery from a mysterious fever that has taken the nation by storm. The flower petals are highly expensive and hard to come by, even though the royal government purchases some for the benefit of all citizens. Tessa picks up her parents work from where they left off together with her partner Weston Lark (that's not his real name, and they agreed on that as a safety precaution). However, after a big group of smugglers escape execution and the crowd starts demanding a revolution to displace the king, tension rises in the nation and smuggling becomes risky. Tessa decides shortly after the event to smuggle the moonlight petals again, and in an attempt to dissuade her, Weston decides to go in her stead. But shortly after, Weston's body is found hanging on the city gate. Dejected, she decides to one day sneak into the palace. She gets caught and is then thrust into a dangerous web of lies and conspiracy.

All in all, it's a very good book to read.