Why did it take me so long to start this series? I was really missing out.

4.5/5

Strong continuation of the Shadows and Crowns series. This book relies on setting up powerful alliances, establishing power, all the while building towards an explosive war.

I loved being able to watch Casia find her place as the next ruler. I always love the dynamic between Casia and Elander. The found family in this book is chef's kiss, but I continued to be worried for the survival outcome of all those involved.

The last 20 percent of the book sends you hurtling to the final conclusions that will happen in the final book. They are gut-wrenching, full of twists and turns, and will have you flipping the pages as fast as you can.

I did find the plot a bit sluggish in the middle as things built, but overall a wonderful addition to the series.

I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS.

This book was tough for me bc I constantly wanted to shake our FMC. I wanted more side character development, I wanted Elander to process his hurt and changes. I’m rating it 4 stars bc that’s what the books have been for me this far, and I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

Overall, this series is exciting, with interesting magic, easy to read, & just enough

Still a great read just felt so long.

4.4/5

I think the middle was a bit slow for me and being that I physically read this one, I was confused of what's going on. Either that things were getting meshed and dragged out all together. So I'll be back again by listening to the audiobook before the last one. The ending is a Cliffy so I made it this far I might as well finish the finale as well.

Enjoying the continuous twists and the world building. Great story, looking for award to the final book.

3⭐️2

brb while i cry and re-bandage the wounds raven kennedy’s glow gave me that this book re-opened.

predictably, i inhaled this book. this series is criminally underrated, and so, so reminiscent of throne of glass that it itches a scratch in my heart that feeds on my nostalgia for epic, overlong battle sequences and fiery, reckless, self-sacrificing FMCs.

not only is this series written very, very well, it’s fun, it’s exciting, and it’s relatively quick. the only issues i had with this installment were that the pacing seemed a bit off — slower than usual, with that ‘okay, too anxious to keep reading every word’ limit being hit about halfway through the multiple battle chapters. reading and loving throne of glass prepared me well for coping with the reckless, absurd decisions that martyr-y FMCs love to make, but i still spent the last half of this book with cold dread in my heart, knowing instinctively how it was going to play out. despite that gut feeling, the ending of this was still surprising and sad and lovely and exquisite. not to draw too many comparisons, but i was just beginning to heal myself from the trauma of the end of glow when the last chapter of this one ripped the stitches wide open. there are a lot of similarities there, but despite being reminiscent of some of my favorite books and series, this stands apart on its own with such a lovely magic system, a richly-detailed god hierarchy, and characters that feel like home.

(spoilers for the previous books in this series — avert your eyes if you haven’t read them yet!)

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i truthfully don’t know if i love the concept of reincarnated lovers, but this series makes it heartbreakingly appealing. sunset declarations of i’ve loved you for lifetimes hits a lot different than ‘??? love u too, stop being weird’ texts. elander stays working his way up the ranks of book boyfriends, and this book solidifies it. SM gaither gives both plot, romance, and spice without sacrificing one for the other, and i am eternally grateful.