although we definitely needed a aleron and gideon book for this series (specifically with them i wouldnt take any other mmcs) i do believe that i read however many pages and almost 7hrs worth of fluff.
now HOLD UP. HOLD THE PHONE! I AM NORMALLY AN OPAL REYNE DEFENDER FIRST AND HUMAN SECOND however- everything but the chacters relationship felt ....weird. the pacing was off despite the potentially for really cool mirrored plot, some throwback characters didn't feel right (cough orpheus and reia cough),  and there was just a distinct lack of world building that mattered for long freaking long it was?
like i definitely still enjoyed my time at the australian duskwalker truthers exhibition, but also i felt like there was nothing to deeper engage with in this bad boy :(