The world building set up in the previous books really carried this book for me. Keris and Zarrah are good characters, but I just don't love them like I did Laura and Aren. And while this book had some good plot twists, it felt a bit dragged out. (Though much better than book 3 which felt like a bizarre alt re-read of book 1&2). I think I'll still read the next duology, but so far, a reread would only be books 1 & 2 for me.

The "cannibalism is ok in this situation" was VERY weird for me, even though I liked the characters. And I LOATHE that Laura is pregnant. I get heirs are important in this book, but it feels like a way to write her off the action of the next books.