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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
I’m sad that it dragged…also maybe should read the last 200 pages
I am so shocked by the ending of this book! I need the next one asap!!! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and loved all of the characters. This book kept me hooked throughout ❤️
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So it’s fun. There are definitely entertaining bits and I’m glad they let Dain have a bit of a redemption arc (honestly was he so evil for being just kind of a boring rule follower?), but the handful of unnecessary trope-y things thrown in (especially at the end) just made it frustrating. It’s also at least twice as long as it needed to be. Xaden getting a second signet just felt so manufactured and the fact that she’s upset about it confuses me. He literally already talks in your head. Why is this a big deal. Also there was ABSOLUTELY no reason to add Jack barlowe. Andarna also being the special-est after both violet and Xaden get powers that make them the special-est ever TM just feels a little silly. Also some of the super modern dialog feels a bit weird.
In general though it’s fun and you’re not reading it for its contribution to literally history. Take it at what it is.
In general though it’s fun and you’re not reading it for its contribution to literally history. Take it at what it is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Let me be honest—the first half of this book was a tedious mess.
But the second half? It did get better.
The final 10% was genuinely strong.
So instead of 2 stars, it’s a soft 2.5.
For most of the first half, I found myself begging Malek to come take me—
and cursing the god of luck for abandoning me the second I foolishly picked up this book again.
And yes—I’ve read it before.
I keep returning to this series not because it’s brilliant, but because the first book is fun in that chaotic, messy, popcorn-fantasy kind of way.
But this one? I forget the plot every single time.
That should’ve been a warning sign.
Violet—the queen of drama—is exhausting.
Her endless inner monologues and constant poor decision-making made her unbearable.
The author clearly wants her to come across as clever and cunning, but it just didn’t land.
And Xaden? He felt like her dramatic twin.
With all their over-the-top love declarations, they drained me completely.
I’ll admit, I have a soft spot for Sawyer, Rhiannon, Mira, and Ridoc.
They brought loyalty, comic relief, and flickers of charm—but most of them still felt underdeveloped.
Rhiannon had the most depth among them.
The final battle, though? Gripping, well-executed, and emotionally satisfying.
And then came the moment that truly got to me:
Lilith Sorrengail.
Yes, she was strict. Yes, she was harsh. Yes, she did unforgivable things to others.
But when it came to her children, she wasn’t evil.
Even if her methods were flawed, her intentions—where they were concerned—came from love.
“Most generals dream of dying in service to their kingdom.
But you know me better than that, my love.
When I fall, it will be for one reason only: to protect our children.”
— Recovered, Unsent Correspondence of General Lilith Sorrengail
I’m glad she was given the death of a warrior—a defender’s death.
Overall? Shallow character development, slow pacing, unnatural dialogue, a well-written ending, and a writing style that relied far too much on telling rather than showing.
Maybe I’ll continue to the next book to see how the author handles that wild Xaden ending.
Or maybe not
But the second half? It did get better.
The final 10% was genuinely strong.
So instead of 2 stars, it’s a soft 2.5.
For most of the first half, I found myself begging Malek to come take me—
and cursing the god of luck for abandoning me the second I foolishly picked up this book again.
And yes—I’ve read it before.
I keep returning to this series not because it’s brilliant, but because the first book is fun in that chaotic, messy, popcorn-fantasy kind of way.
But this one? I forget the plot every single time.
That should’ve been a warning sign.
Violet—the queen of drama—is exhausting.
Her endless inner monologues and constant poor decision-making made her unbearable.
The author clearly wants her to come across as clever and cunning, but it just didn’t land.
And Xaden? He felt like her dramatic twin.
With all their over-the-top love declarations, they drained me completely.
I’ll admit, I have a soft spot for Sawyer, Rhiannon, Mira, and Ridoc.
They brought loyalty, comic relief, and flickers of charm—but most of them still felt underdeveloped.
Rhiannon had the most depth among them.
The final battle, though? Gripping, well-executed, and emotionally satisfying.
And then came the moment that truly got to me:
Yes, she was strict. Yes, she was harsh. Yes, she did unforgivable things to others.
But when it came to her children, she wasn’t evil.
Even if her methods were flawed, her intentions—where they were concerned—came from love.
“Most generals dream of dying in service to their kingdom.
But you know me better than that, my love.
When I fall, it will be for one reason only: to protect our children.”
— Recovered, Unsent Correspondence of General Lilith Sorrengail
I’m glad she was given the death of a warrior—a defender’s death.
Overall? Shallow character development, slow pacing, unnatural dialogue, a well-written ending, and a writing style that relied far too much on telling rather than showing.
Maybe I’ll continue to the next book to see how the author handles that wild Xaden ending.
Or maybe not
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very entertaining, but found myself wishing the book was a few hundred pages shorter than it was. Thought the reason for Violet being mad at Xaden for majority of the book to really be rather silly, like girl the boy’s got extremely valid reasons for not telling you every single detail about every single plan, your shields were practically non-existent, but sure let your ego and self-importance take precedence.