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c_kuehner's review
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book initially builds well off of Book 3 and a new POV character offers some great insight into what's going on in this world that is very needed. However, like Book 2 this feels bloated and really needed to make one thing happen in order to move the overarching story forward. This book does get more graphic in terms of body horror and the death/destruction being brought on the empire, but maintains a PG-13 rating in my opinion regarding violence.
Vasha's POV is very very welcomed and the desperation she shows is very compelling. About 2/3rds of the way through her story though, it became very repetitive.
To be honest, this is the weakest I've found Dain and Amira's relationship, particularly once they make it back to the capital city. The entire reaction to the attempt on Amira's life is very strange to me. A line which sticks out like a sore thumb is Amira's saying to her attackers "I'm Daindreth's goddamn Assassin" which... she's been portrayed as a talented enough assassin that her attackers shouldn't know that. It's a line strictly for the audience and I hated it. Dain's reaction as well feels very strange. His initial anger and hurt makes sense, but his continued existence in that state makes me wonder how this guy stayed level headed enough to fend off Caas his entire life. They act so strangely that I as a reader somewhat believe Amira's cast a spell on him to enchant him rather than the two of them being a strong romantic couple.
Thadred continues to be delightful and his growing relationship with Sair is just fantastic to read.
Vasha's POV is very very welcomed and the desperation she shows is very compelling. About 2/3rds of the way through her story though, it became very repetitive.
To be honest, this is the weakest I've found Dain and Amira's relationship, particularly once they make it back to the capital city. The entire reaction to the attempt on Amira's life is very strange to me. A line which sticks out like a sore thumb is Amira's saying to her attackers "I'm Daindreth's goddamn Assassin" which... she's been portrayed as a talented enough assassin that her attackers shouldn't know that. It's a line strictly for the audience and I hated it. Dain's reaction as well feels very strange. His initial anger and hurt makes sense, but his continued existence in that state makes me wonder how this guy stayed level headed enough to fend off Caas his entire life. They act so strangely that I as a reader somewhat believe Amira's cast a spell on him to enchant him rather than the two of them being a strong romantic couple.
Thadred continues to be delightful and his growing relationship with Sair is just fantastic to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Vomit
There is quite a bit more violence/implied violence in this book than in previous books, particularly against innocents.