Continuity errors and an extended flashback in the first chapter. Too much for me handle. ( )

Short stories and prequels seem to be the latest way of attracting the attention of new readers by many authors even those with established followings. I have to say I consider a really good short story to be harder to write than a full novel. Anyway this short prequel felt with Jess, a girl from a military family, growing up wanting to be a knight. Her father trains her in warfare while her mother plans for an arranged marriage. When Jess goes to war college, she is paired in her first match with a boy who deliberately tried to maim , if not kill her. After healing, she is taken on by a group of squares led by a general feared as a warrior but considered to have no honor. This story covers the 3 years of college.
It was well written and the story was interesting enough to leave you willing to read more. ( )